Denison, IA vs Muscatine, IA

Denison is moderately more affordable than Muscatine, with a 9.7% lower cost of living index. Denison scores 66 compared to 74 for Muscatine, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Muscatine can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Denison is $770/month compared to $979/month in Muscatine — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Denison is more affordable at $137,600 median vs $146,900.

Median household income in Denison is $63,850 compared to $59,332 in Muscatine (+7.6%). Denison offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Denison spend roughly 14.5% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Muscatine.