Marquette, IA vs Smithland, IA

Smithland is moderately more affordable than Marquette, with a 8.7% lower cost of living index. Marquette scores 64 compared to 59 for Smithland, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Marquette can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Marquette is $696/month compared to $725/month in Smithland — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marquette has cheaper rent, Smithland actually has lower median home values ($75,400 vs $137,000).

Median household income in Marquette is $38,125 compared to $83,000 in Smithland (-54.1%). Smithland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Marquette spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Smithland.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.1°F vs 48.4°F). Marquette receives more rainfall at 33.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Smithland.