Martensdale, IA vs Portsmouth, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Portsmouth is 23.3% cheaper than Martensdale. With a cost index of 59 vs 73, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Portsmouth to Martensdale should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Martensdale is $863/month compared to $575/month in Portsmouth — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $115,500 median vs $176,400.

Median household income in Martensdale is $53,750 compared to $79,643 in Portsmouth (-32.5%). Portsmouth offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Martensdale spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, more than the 8.7% in Portsmouth.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 52.4°F). Martensdale receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 31.9" in Portsmouth.