Humboldt, IA vs Oskaloosa, IA

Humboldt, IA and Oskaloosa, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Humboldt scores 67 while Oskaloosa scores 69 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 Humboldt is $731/month compared to $880/month in Oskaloosa — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Humboldt has cheaper rent, Oskaloosa actually has lower median home values ($128,900 vs $162,600).

Median household income in Humboldt is $70,661 compared to $62,172 in Oskaloosa (+13.7%). Humboldt offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Humboldt spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17% in Oskaloosa.

Climate-wise, Oskaloosa is notably warmer with an average of 50.7°F compared to 44.6°F in Humboldt. Oskaloosa receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 29.3" in Humboldt.