Iowa City, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Ottumwa is 28.3% 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 Ottumwa 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 $956/month in Ottumwa — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ottumwa is more affordable at $92,400 median vs $273,600.

Median household income in Iowa City is $57,533 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (+0.9%). Iowa City does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Iowa City spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, more than the 20.1% in Ottumwa.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 50.7°F). Ottumwa receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 35.7" in Iowa City.