Johnston, IA vs Keokuk, IA

The cost of living difference between Johnston, IA and Keokuk, IA is dramatic. Keokuk is 56% cheaper than Johnston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Johnston has a cost index of 100 while Keokuk sits at 64, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Johnston is $1,288/month compared to $810/month in Keokuk — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Keokuk is more affordable at $93,700 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Johnston is $103,430 compared to $49,340 in Keokuk (+109.6%). While Johnston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Johnston spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in Keokuk.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 51.9°F). Keokuk receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 36.6" in Johnston.