Alpena, MI vs Oskaloosa, IA: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Oskaloosa, IA has a modeled overall cost index 16.8% higher than Alpena, MI.

Alpena, MI · modeled 2BR rent
$970 / month
Oskaloosa, IA · modeled 2BR rent
$990 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Alpena, MI and Oskaloosa, IA using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

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Estimated extra cost: $964/month in Oskaloosa, IA

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $161,562 in Oskaloosa, IA

Regional cost estimates: Alpena, MI uses Detroit, MI. Oskaloosa, IA uses Des Moines, IA. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 16.8%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$964
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$11.6K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Alpena, MI

Population:10K
Cost Index:
71.7
100 = national average
Typical Home:$180K

Oskaloosa, IA

Population:11K
Cost Index:
83.8
100 = national average
Typical Home:$179K

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Alpena, MI

The Great Lakes State

10K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 10K residents.

Oskaloosa, IA

The Hawkeye State

11K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 11K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Alpena, MI vs Oskaloosa, IA

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 52.3%
Alpena, MI
$1,516
Oskaloosa, IA
$2,310
Difference
$793
more
Healthcare
↑ 29.2%
Alpena, MI
$675
Oskaloosa, IA
$872
Difference
$197
more
Other
↑ 9.7%
Alpena, MI
$1,809
Oskaloosa, IA
$1,984
Difference
$175
more
Transportation
↓ 9.6%
Alpena, MI
$1,697
Oskaloosa, IA
$1,534
Difference
$163
less
All Utilities
↓ 9.9%
Alpena, MI
$667
Oskaloosa, IA
$601
Difference
$65.91
less
Groceries
↑ 2.4%
Alpena, MI
$1,136
Oskaloosa, IA
$1,163
Difference
$27.08
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$690
To$750
↑ $60.00
1 Bed
From$770
To$750
↓ $20.00
2 Bed
From$970
To$990
↑ $20.00
3 Bed
From$1,210
To$1,190
↓ $20.00
Alpena, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $770–$770/mo

Oskaloosa, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $750–$750/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Alpena, MI
$8,464
Monthly in Oskaloosa, IA
$964
Difference

Home Values

Alpena
Oskaloosa
$180K
Median Value
$179K
↑ +3.8%
YoY Change
↑ +5.3%
↑ +45.4%
5-Year Change
↑ +40.7%

Homes in Oskaloosa are 1% less expensive than Alpena

Calculate payment - AlpenaCalculate payment - Oskaloosa

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $4.3K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$361
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
2.9%
Rate difference

Alpena, MI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Michigan State Tax
Effective: 4.3%
$6.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.9%
$43.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,884/month
$106.6K

Oskaloosa, IA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Iowa State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.7K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.7K
Take-Home Pay
$8,524/month
$102.3K

Additional Tax Information

Alpena, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

Oskaloosa, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:1.5%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Alpena
Oskaloosa
55 Moderate
Air Quality
45 Good
32.8%
Good Air Days
67.5%
99 High
Climate Risk
92 Moderate
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌡☀🌪
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
10 days
Heat Days >95°F
25 days
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
10 days
Heat Days >95°F
25 days

Before moving from Alpena, MI to Oskaloosa, IA

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Oskaloosa, IA for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Alpena, MI. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Alpena to Oskaloosa moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Oskaloosa, IA by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Alpena, MI vs Oskaloosa, IA

How do the cost estimates for Alpena, MI and Oskaloosa, IA compare?

Oskaloosa, IA has a modeled overall cost index 16.8% higher than Alpena, MI. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Alpena, MI, the model estimates $161,562 in Oskaloosa, IA. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Alpena, MI and Oskaloosa, IA?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $970/month in Alpena, MI and $990/month in Oskaloosa, IA. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Michigan and Iowa on TaxTakeHome.com

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