Cresco, IA vs Fort Madison, IA

Cresco, IA and Fort Madison, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Cresco scores 65 while Fort Madison scores 65 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 Cresco is $814/month compared to $824/month in Fort Madison — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cresco has cheaper rent, Fort Madison actually has lower median home values ($95,900 vs $105,200).

Median household income in Cresco is $60,769 compared to $49,359 in Fort Madison (+23.1%). While Cresco is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cresco spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 20% in Fort Madison.