Fort Madison, IA vs Monticello, IA

Fort Madison, IA and Monticello, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0% difference in their overall index. Fort Madison scores 65 while Monticello scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Madison is $824/month compared to $659/month in Monticello — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Monticello has cheaper rent, Fort Madison actually has lower median home values ($95,900 vs $160,500).

Median household income in Fort Madison is $49,359 compared to $67,788 in Monticello (-27.2%). Monticello offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Madison spend roughly 20% of their income on rent, more than the 11.7% in Monticello.