Grinnell, IA vs Muscatine, IA

Grinnell, IA and Muscatine, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Grinnell scores 75 while Muscatine scores 74 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 Grinnell is $876/month compared to $979/month in Muscatine — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grinnell has cheaper rent, Muscatine actually has lower median home values ($146,900 vs $191,700).

Median household income in Grinnell is $64,426 compared to $59,332 in Muscatine (+8.6%). While Grinnell is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grinnell spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Muscatine.

Climate-wise, Muscatine is notably warmer with an average of 51.2°F compared to 47.7°F in Grinnell. Muscatine receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 32.8" in Grinnell.