Carroll, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

Carroll, IA and Ottumwa, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Carroll 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 Carroll is $718/month compared to $956/month in Ottumwa — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carroll has cheaper rent, Ottumwa actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $184,100).

Median household income in Carroll is $59,323 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (+4.1%). While Carroll is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carroll spend roughly 14.5% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Ottumwa.