Fort Madison, IA vs Johnston, IA

The cost of living difference between Fort Madison, IA and Johnston, IA is dramatic. Fort Madison is 35.3% cheaper than Johnston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Madison has a cost index of 65 while Johnston sits at 100, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Madison is $824/month compared to $1,288/month in Johnston — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Madison is more affordable at $95,900 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Fort Madison is $49,359 compared to $103,430 in Johnston (-52.3%). While Johnston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Madison spend roughly 20% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Johnston.