Cost of Living in Muscatine, IA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Muscatine, IA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Muscatine? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Muscatine stands at 90, making it 10% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Muscatine?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 24 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Muscatine. The feedback revealed that 83% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 17% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Muscatine Affordable?

Is Muscatine an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Muscatine, the median home price is 39.1% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 11.8% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Muscatine come in at $53,768, which is 2.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Muscatine?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Muscatine, healthcare costs are 5.6% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Muscatine, the utilities index registers at 13.9% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Muscatine, the transportation index stands at 4.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Muscatine, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.