City Comparison
Clinton vs Ottumwa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ottumwa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clinton
Ottumwa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ottumwa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Clinton.
| Metric | Clinton | Ottumwa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $850 | 0% |
| Groceries | $360 | $350 | +3% |
| Utilities | $165 | $170 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,705 | $1,690 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Clinton offers 13% 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 Ottumwa.
| Metric | Clinton | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,854 idx | 58,537 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Clinton sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clinton | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 53.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 84.00°F |
| Winter Low | 15.80°F | 17.70°F |
| Rainfall | 31.30 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | 19.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 274 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ottumwa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Clinton.
Ottumwa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Clinton | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ottumwa is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Ottumwa 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 | Clinton | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,469 | 25,514 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 37.8 |
| 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.
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.
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
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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