Clive, IA vs Marshalltown, IA

The cost of living difference between Clive, IA and Marshalltown, IA is dramatic. Marshalltown is 43.3% cheaper than Clive, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clive has a cost index of 97 while Marshalltown sits at 68, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Clive is $1,099/month compared to $864/month in Marshalltown — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marshalltown is more affordable at $117,100 median vs $379,000.

Median household income in Clive is $131,082 compared to $68,854 in Marshalltown (+90.4%). While Clive is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clive spend roughly 10.1% of their income on rent, less than the 15.1% in Marshalltown.