Burlington, IA vs Oskaloosa, IA

Burlington, IA and Oskaloosa, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Burlington scores 70 while Oskaloosa scores 69 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 Burlington is $931/month compared to $880/month in Oskaloosa — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Oskaloosa has cheaper rent, Burlington actually has lower median home values ($115,800 vs $128,900).

Median household income in Burlington is $55,274 compared to $62,172 in Oskaloosa (-11.1%). Oskaloosa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17% in Oskaloosa.