Grimes, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

The cost of living difference between Grimes, IA and Ottumwa, IA is dramatic. Ottumwa is 32.4% cheaper than Grimes, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Grimes has a cost index of 91 while Ottumwa sits at 68, 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 Grimes is $1,156/month compared to $956/month in Ottumwa — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ottumwa is more affordable at $92,400 median vs $281,000.

Median household income in Grimes is $104,497 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (+83.3%). While Grimes is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grimes spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Ottumwa.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 50.7°F). Ottumwa receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 36.6" in Grimes.