City Comparison
Clinton vs Marshalltown
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marshalltown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clinton
Marshalltown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clinton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Marshalltown.
| Metric | Clinton | Marshalltown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $850 | 0% |
| Groceries | $360 | $370 | -3% |
| Utilities | $165 | $165 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,705 | $1,715 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 84 | 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 Marshalltown.
| Metric | Clinton | Marshalltown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,854 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $55,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Marshalltown sees 3.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clinton | Marshalltown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 50.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 81.10°F |
| Winter Low | 15.80°F | 13.80°F |
| Rainfall | 31.30 in | 32.10 in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | 26.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 270 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Marshalltown scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Marshalltown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clinton | Marshalltown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Marshalltown is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Clinton.
From a growth perspective, Marshalltown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Marshalltown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clinton | Marshalltown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,469 | 27,500 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Marshalltown
Advantages
Median home prices in Marshalltown are substantially lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 20 minutes.
A revitalized downtown district offers local dining, community events, and cultural festivals.
Strong local manufacturing and healthcare sectors provide steady employment opportunities.
Abundant parks and recreational areas support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options create a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Severe weather events, including tornadoes and winter storms, occasionally impact the region.
Fewer entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger metropolitan areas like Des Moines.
Average household incomes trail state and national benchmarks.
Opportunities for remote tech and corporate careers locally are relatively sparse.
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
Marshalltown
#212Iowa, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
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