Iowa City, IA vs Marshalltown, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Marshalltown is 29.8% cheaper than Iowa City. With a cost index of 68 vs 88, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Marshalltown to Iowa City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Iowa City is $1,094/month compared to $864/month in Marshalltown — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marshalltown is more affordable at $117,100 median vs $273,600.

Median household income in Iowa City is $57,533 compared to $68,854 in Marshalltown (-16.4%). Marshalltown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Iowa City spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, more than the 15.1% in Marshalltown.

Climate-wise, Iowa City is notably warmer with an average of 51°F compared to 47.7°F in Marshalltown. Iowa City receives more rainfall at 35.7" per year compared to 32.8" in Marshalltown.