City Comparison
Clinton vs Fort Dodge
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Dodge scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clinton
Fort Dodge
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Clinton | Fort Dodge | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $850 | 0% |
| Groceries | $360 | $350 | +3% |
| Utilities | $165 | $170 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,705 | $1,700 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Clinton offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Clinton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clinton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Fort Dodge.
| Metric | Clinton | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,854 idx | 63,415 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Clinton comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Dodge sees 15 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clinton | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 50.20°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 15.80°F | 12.80°F |
| Rainfall | 31.30 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | 37.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 255 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Clinton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clinton | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Dodge is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Clinton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Dodge has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clinton | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,469 | 24,869 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clinton
Advantages
Median home prices in Clinton are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Average commute times are under 20 minutes, allowing for minimal daily transit stress.
Abundant access to Mississippi River recreation, parks, and outdoor trails.
Strong local manufacturing and industrial employment base offering stable jobs.
Low cost of living index that stretches retirement and family budgets effectively.
Drawbacks
Limited high-tech and corporate remote work professional infrastructure.
Cold, snowy winter conditions typical of eastern Iowa can be harsh.
Limited public transit options require heavy reliance on personal vehicles.
Slower population growth compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Fewer high-end dining and major entertainment venues within city limits.
Fort Dodge
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the US national average per Census Bureau data.
Short average commute times allow residents to spend less time in traffic and more time on personal pursuits.
Strong regional healthcare presence anchored by UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
Active local arts scene highlighted by the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.
Drawbacks
Cold winter climates with significant snowfall can pose challenges for daily travel and outdoor activities.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Slower population growth compared to larger metropolitan areas in Iowa like Des Moines.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters positions within the immediate city limits.
Nightlife and entertainment options are more limited compared to larger urban centers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Clinton
#291Iowa, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
Fort Dodge
#261Iowa, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
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