Boone, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

Boone, IA and Ottumwa, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Boone scores 69 while Ottumwa 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 $956/month in Ottumwa — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Boone has cheaper rent, Ottumwa actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $156,400).

Median household income in Boone is $67,269 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (+18%). While Boone is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Boone spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Ottumwa.