City Comparison
Cedar Rapids vs Ottumwa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cedar Rapids scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cedar Rapids
Ottumwa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ottumwa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Cedar Rapids.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cedar Rapids's average rent is
32% higher than Ottumwa's.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Ottumwa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,126 | $850 | +32% |
| Groceries | $450 | $350 | +29% |
| Utilities | $180 | $170 | +6% |
| Transport | $120 | $100 | +20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,126 | $1,690 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cedar Rapids offers 86% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cedar Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cedar Rapids is estimated at
$55,000 vs $42,000 in Ottumwa.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,087 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 98,986 idx | 58,537 idx |
| Household Income | $70,424 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Cedar Rapids sees 4.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | 53.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 84.00°F |
| Winter Low | 14.50°F | 17.70°F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 23.80 in | 19.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 274 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ottumwa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Cedar Rapids.
Cedar Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cedar Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cedar Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 5.4x the population of Ottumwa.
From a growth perspective, Cedar Rapids is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ottumwa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,264 | 25,514 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cedar Rapids
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, with housing being a major contributor.
Affordable housing market with a median home price well below the national average and a competitive market for sellers.
Strong and growing economy with significant private investments in data centers and manufacturing, creating job opportunities.
Low crime rates and a strong safety profile, with violent crime rates below the national average.
High quality of life with well-run city services, a focus on community, and national recognition for livability and affordability.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, as public transportation and walkability scores are moderate, making personal vehicles essential for most residents.
While growing, the job market may not offer the same high-paying specialized roles found in larger metropolitan areas, though specific high-paying sectors like healthcare exist.
The city's economy, while growing, is heavily influenced by manufacturing and agriculture, which can be subject to broader economic fluctuations.
Despite overall affordability, rent-to-income ratios can be a concern for some households, with a significant portion of income potentially allocated to housing.
The city has experienced natural disasters, such as the 2020 derecho, which, while demonstrating resilience, can impact infrastructure and community well-being.
Ottumwa
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Ottumwa are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 15 minutes, minimizing daily transit stress.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities are available along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
The local cost of living index is well below the US average, stretching household budgets further.
A vibrant cultural and events calendar is hosted at the modern Bridge View Center downtown.
Drawbacks
Average household incomes and wages lag behind national medians per US Census Bureau American Community Survey data.
Certain heavy manufacturing and industrial sectors experience cyclical employment fluctuations.
Public transportation options outside of core fixed bus routes are limited for non-drivers.
Some older housing stock requires significant weatherization and energy-efficiency updates for harsh winters.
Access to specialized medical sub-specialties requires travel to larger regional hospital hubs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cedar Rapids
#197Iowa, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,126
Avg Salary
$89,087
Cost Index
90
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Ottumwa
#231Iowa, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
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