Keokuk, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

Keokuk is moderately more affordable than Ottumwa, with a 6.3% lower cost of living index. Keokuk scores 64 compared to 68 for Ottumwa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ottumwa can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Keokuk is $810/month compared to $956/month in Ottumwa — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Keokuk has cheaper rent, Ottumwa actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $93,700).

Median household income in Keokuk is $49,340 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (-13.4%). While Ottumwa is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Keokuk spend roughly 19.7% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Ottumwa.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.7°F). Keokuk receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 37" in Ottumwa.