Ottumwa, IA vs Storm Lake, IA

Ottumwa, IA and Storm Lake, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Ottumwa scores 68 while Storm Lake scores 70 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ottumwa is $956/month compared to $830/month in Storm Lake — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Storm Lake has cheaper rent, Ottumwa actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $163,600).

Median household income in Ottumwa is $56,994 compared to $58,341 in Storm Lake (-2.3%). The higher salaries in Storm Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ottumwa spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Storm Lake.

Climate-wise, Ottumwa is notably warmer with an average of 50.7°F compared to 46.8°F in Storm Lake. Ottumwa receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 26.8" in Storm Lake.