Boone, IA vs Marshalltown, IA

Boone, IA and Marshalltown, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Boone scores 69 while Marshalltown scores 68 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 Boone is $791/month compared to $864/month in Marshalltown — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Boone has cheaper rent, Marshalltown actually has lower median home values ($117,100 vs $156,400).

Median household income in Boone is $67,269 compared to $68,854 in Marshalltown (-2.3%). Marshalltown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Boone spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 15.1% in Marshalltown.