Maquoketa, IA vs Northwood, IA

Northwood is moderately more affordable than Maquoketa, with a 8.5% lower cost of living index. Maquoketa scores 65 compared to 60 for Northwood, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Maquoketa can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Maquoketa is $745/month compared to $583/month in Northwood — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Northwood is more affordable at $124,800 median vs $126,800.

Median household income in Maquoketa is $56,039 compared to $64,615 in Northwood (-13.3%). Northwood offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Maquoketa spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, more than the 10.8% in Northwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.2°F vs 45.6°F). Maquoketa receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 36.3" in Northwood.