Muscatine, IA Cost Of Living

The latest cost of living statistics for Muscatine. Includes statistics on rent, mortgages, healthcare, and other costs for Muscatine compared to the state and national averages.

Cost of living in Muscatine, Iowa

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:

92 Cost of living index 0.9x lower vs US
#45 Cheapest in Iowa (of 85)
#1,359 Cheapest in the U.S. (of 6,489)
$184,866 Median home value
$974 Median rent
$58,117 Median income
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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 92, 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:

Muscatine Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa

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

  • The Services index in Muscatine is 103.

  • The Groceries index in Muscatine is 100.

  • The Health index in Muscatine is 71.

  • The Housing index in Muscatine is 103.

  • The Transportation index in Muscatine is 97.

  • The Utilities index in Muscatine is 101.

Living Expense Muscatine Iowa National Average
Overall 92 90 100
Services 103 99 100
Groceries 100 95 100
Health 71 75 100
Housing 103 97 100
Transportation 97 93 100
Utilities 101 94 100

Muscatine Cost Of Living Compared To Iowa Averages

Services
Muscatine 103
Iowa avg 99
Groceries
Muscatine 100
Iowa avg 95
Health
Muscatine 71
Iowa avg 75
Housing
Muscatine 103
Iowa avg 97
Transportation
Muscatine 97
Iowa avg 93
Utilities
Muscatine 101
Iowa avg 94

Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.

For more reading on cost of living around Iowa, check out:

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Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100

Muscatine, IA Housing Cost Breakdown

$184,866Median Home Value
$974Median Rent
$58,117Median Income

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 2020-2024. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Muscatine is $184,866.

  • The Median Rent in Muscatine is $974.

  • The Median Income in Muscatine is $58,117.

  • The Home Value To Income in Muscatine is 3.2x.

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

Statistic Muscatine Iowa United States
Median Home Value $184,866 $231,584 $332,700
Median Rent $974 $972 $1,413
Median Income $58,117 $75,059 $80,734
Home Value To Income 3.2x 3.1x 4.1x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.2x 0.16x 0.21x

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

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

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 91, 1.0x Muscatine.

  • Bettendorf, IA has a cost of living index of 104, 1.1x Muscatine.

  • Rock Island, IL has a cost of living index of 90, 1.0x Muscatine.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Muscatine
Moline, IL 42,197 91 1.0x
Bettendorf, IA 39,647 104 1.1x
Rock Island, IL 36,151 90 1.0x
North Liberty, IA 21,125 105 1.1x
East Moline, IL 20,904 91 1.0x
Monmouth, IL 8,581 85 0.9x
Silvis, IL 7,955 91 1.0x
Geneseo, IL 6,673 92 1.0x
Colona, IL 5,139 90 1.0x
Milan, IL 5,034 89 1.0x