Muscatine, IA vs Oskaloosa, IA

Oskaloosa is moderately more affordable than Muscatine, with a 6.5% lower cost of living index. Muscatine scores 74 compared to 69 for Oskaloosa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Muscatine can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Muscatine is $979/month compared to $880/month in Oskaloosa — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oskaloosa is more affordable at $128,900 median vs $146,900.

Median household income in Muscatine is $59,332 compared to $62,172 in Oskaloosa (-4.6%). Oskaloosa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Muscatine spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17% in Oskaloosa.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 50.7°F). Muscatine receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 37" in Oskaloosa.