Fort Dodge, IA vs Oskaloosa, IA

Fort Dodge is moderately more affordable than Oskaloosa, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Fort Dodge scores 66 compared to 69 for Oskaloosa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Oskaloosa can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Dodge is $764/month compared to $880/month in Oskaloosa — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fort Dodge has cheaper rent, Oskaloosa actually has lower median home values ($128,900 vs $128,900).

Median household income in Fort Dodge is $61,769 compared to $62,172 in Oskaloosa (-0.6%). Oskaloosa does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Dodge spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 17% in Oskaloosa.