Muscatine, IA Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Muscatine, IA Summary

Cost of living in Muscatine research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Muscatine is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Iowa, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Muscatine is 91, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Muscatine is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Muscatine ranks as the #45 cheapest in Iowa out of 85.

  • Muscatine ranks as the #1,347 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Muscatine is $183,359.

  • The median income in Muscatine is $59,332.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
91
Muscatine's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Muscatine, IA?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Muscatine has an overall cost of living index of 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Iowa, Muscatine has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Iowa's index of 90.

The standard of living in Muscatine ranks as #45 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Muscatine ranks as the #40 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.

For more reading on life in Muscatine, check out:

45 out of 85
In Iowa
1,347 out of 6,489
In America

Muscatine Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Muscatine. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Muscatine is 99.

  • The Groceries index in Muscatine is 97.

  • The Health index in Muscatine is 93.

  • The Housing index in Muscatine is 68.

  • The Transportation index in Muscatine is 103.

  • The Utilities index in Muscatine is 87.

Living Expense Muscatine Iowa National Average
Overall 91 90 100
Services 99 96 100
Groceries 97 97 100
Health 93 99 100
Housing 68 75 100
Transportation 103 99 100
Utilities 87 94 100
For more reading on cost of living around Iowa, check out:
Muscatine Cost of Living Vs. IA

Muscatine, IA Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Iowa, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Muscatine is $183,359.

  • The Median Rent in Muscatine is $979.

  • The Median Income in Muscatine is $59,332.

  • The Home Value To Income in Muscatine is 3.1x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Muscatine is 0.2x.

Statistic Muscatine Iowa United States
Median Home Value $183,359 $230,258 $303,400
Median Rent $979 $949 $1,348
Median Income $59,332 $73,147 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.1x 3.1x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.2x 0.16x 0.21x
$183,359
Median Home Value
$979
Median Rent
$59,332
Median Income

Muscatine, IA Costs By Category

Detailed Muscatine Services Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Muscatine Iowa
Shampoo $1.3 $1.28
Movie $11.85 $12.13
Bowling $18.5 $18
Haircut $27.83 $24.26
Beauty Salon $46.89 $45.56

Detailed Muscatine Groceries Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Muscatine Iowa
Ground Beef $5.67 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.35 $1.57
Milk $4.63 $4.67
Potatoes $4.73 $4.93
Pizza $11.49 $12.09
Beer $9.86 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.82 $3.7

Detailed Muscatine Health Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Muscatine Iowa
Optometrist $134.2 $125.68
Doctor $140.02 $135.78
Dentist $93.33 $113.29

Detailed Muscatine Transportation Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Muscatine Iowa
Gasoline $3.37 $3.46
Tire Balancing $72.71 $59.92

Detailed Muscatine Utilities Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Muscatine Iowa
All Electricity $153.7 $193.99
Phone $186.06 $192.25

Muscatine SnackAbility

7
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
7/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
8
Safety
6
Amenities
8.5
Education
6
Commute
9.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Muscatine

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Muscatine. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Moline, IL has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x Muscatine.

  • Bettendorf, IA has a cost of living index of 102, 1.1x Muscatine.

  • Rock Island, IL has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x Muscatine.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Muscatine
Moline, IL 42,235 88 1.0x
Bettendorf, IA 39,297 102 1.1x
Rock Island, IL 36,758 88 1.0x
East Moline, IL 20,837 87 1.0x
North Liberty, IA 20,782 105 1.2x
Monmouth, IL 8,794 82 0.9x
Silvis, IL 7,939 93 1.0x
Geneseo, IL 6,577 94 1.0x
Colona, IL 5,189 93 1.0x
Milan, IL 5,037 92 1.0x

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