Emmetsburg, IA vs Keokuk, IA

Emmetsburg is moderately more affordable than Keokuk, with a 7.8% lower cost of living index. Emmetsburg scores 59 compared to 64 for Keokuk, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Keokuk 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 $810/month in Keokuk — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Emmetsburg has cheaper rent, Keokuk actually has lower median home values ($93,700 vs $114,600).

Median household income in Emmetsburg is $57,353 compared to $49,340 in Keokuk (+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 19.7% in Keokuk.