Emmetsburg, IA vs Fort Madison, IA

Emmetsburg is moderately more affordable than Fort Madison, with a 8.6% lower cost of living index. Emmetsburg scores 59 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 Emmetsburg is $589/month compared to $824/month in Fort Madison — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Emmetsburg has cheaper rent, Fort Madison actually has lower median home values ($95,900 vs $114,600).

Median household income in Emmetsburg is $57,353 compared to $49,359 in Fort Madison (+16.2%). Emmetsburg offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Emmetsburg spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20% in Fort Madison.