Bettendorf, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

Bettendorf, IA and West Des Moines, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Bettendorf scores 90 while West Des Moines scores 92 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bettendorf is $1,148/month compared to $1,194/month in West Des Moines — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bettendorf has cheaper rent, West Des Moines actually has lower median home values ($286,300 vs $295,600).

Median household income in Bettendorf is $102,917 compared to $84,925 in West Des Moines (+21.2%). Bettendorf offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bettendorf spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in West Des Moines.