Fort Madison, IA vs Waukon, IA

Fort Madison, IA and Waukon, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Fort Madison scores 65 while Waukon 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 $719/month in Waukon — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waukon has cheaper rent, Fort Madison actually has lower median home values ($95,900 vs $133,700).

Median household income in Fort Madison is $49,359 compared to $56,250 in Waukon (-12.3%). Waukon 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 15.3% in Waukon.