Ottumwa, IA vs Waterloo, IA

Ottumwa, IA and Waterloo, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Ottumwa scores 68 while Waterloo 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 $896/month in Waterloo — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waterloo has cheaper rent, Ottumwa actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $150,200).

Median household income in Ottumwa is $56,994 compared to $56,344 in Waterloo (+1.2%). Ottumwa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ottumwa spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, more than the 19.1% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.7°F vs 49°F). Ottumwa receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 36.3" in Waterloo.