Maquoketa, IA vs Storm Lake, IA

Maquoketa is moderately more affordable than Storm Lake, with a 7.9% lower cost of living index. Maquoketa scores 65 compared to 70 for Storm Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Storm Lake 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 $830/month in Storm Lake — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Maquoketa is more affordable at $126,800 median vs $163,600.

Median household income in Maquoketa is $56,039 compared to $58,341 in Storm Lake (-3.9%). Storm Lake 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 Maquoketa spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 17.1% in Storm Lake.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.2°F vs 46.8°F). Maquoketa receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 26.8" in Storm Lake.