Chariton, IA vs Fort Madison, IA

Chariton is moderately more affordable than Fort Madison, with a 6.6% lower cost of living index. Chariton scores 60 compared to 65 for Fort Madison, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fort Madison can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chariton is $716/month compared to $824/month in Fort Madison — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chariton is more affordable at $84,200 median vs $95,900.

Median household income in Chariton is $52,109 compared to $49,359 in Fort Madison (+5.6%). Chariton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chariton spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 20% in Fort Madison.