Fort Madison, IA vs Waukee, IA

The cost of living difference between Fort Madison, IA and Waukee, IA is dramatic. Fort Madison is 34.3% cheaper than Waukee, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Madison has a cost index of 65 while Waukee sits at 98, 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 $1,290/month in Waukee — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Madison is more affordable at $95,900 median vs $328,200.

Median household income in Fort Madison is $49,359 compared to $106,728 in Waukee (-53.8%). While Waukee 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 14.5% in Waukee.