Johnston, IA vs Oskaloosa, IA

The cost of living difference between Johnston, IA and Oskaloosa, IA is dramatic. Oskaloosa is 44.7% cheaper than Johnston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Johnston has a cost index of 100 while Oskaloosa sits at 69, 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 $880/month in Oskaloosa — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oskaloosa is more affordable at $128,900 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Johnston is $103,430 compared to $62,172 in Oskaloosa (+66.4%). 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 17% in Oskaloosa.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 50.7°F). Oskaloosa receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 36.6" in Johnston.