Grinnell, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

Ottumwa is moderately more affordable than Grinnell, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Grinnell scores 75 compared to 68 for Ottumwa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Grinnell can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Grinnell is $876/month compared to $956/month in Ottumwa — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grinnell has cheaper rent, Ottumwa actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $191,700).

Median household income in Grinnell is $64,426 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (+13%). 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 20.1% in Ottumwa.

Climate-wise, Ottumwa is notably warmer with an average of 50.7°F compared to 47.7°F in Grinnell. Ottumwa receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 32.8" in Grinnell.