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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Ottumwa, IA โ€” COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area + state data

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.6K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 15.1%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,131
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$13.6K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Ottumwa, IA

Population:25K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$228K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K
Cost Index:115
Median Home:$512K

Ottumwa, IA

The Hawkeye State

25K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 25K residents.

Raleigh, NC

The Tar Heel State

474K
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขResearch Triangle
  • โ€ขState capital
  • โ€ขMajor university town

Major Industries

TechnologyResearchEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Ottumwa, IA vs Raleigh, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 40.9%
Ottumwa, IA
$1,752
Raleigh, NC
$2,469
Difference
$716
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 13.4%
Ottumwa, IA
$1,505
Raleigh, NC
$1,707
Difference
$202
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 10.3%
Ottumwa, IA
$1,164
Raleigh, NC
$1,284
Difference
$120
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 20.2%
Ottumwa, IA
$455
Raleigh, NC
$546
Difference
$91.65
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 9.0%
Ottumwa, IA
$880
Raleigh, NC
$959
Difference
$79.29
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†“ 8.9%
Ottumwa, IA
$660
Raleigh, NC
$601
Difference
$58.57
less

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$573
To$1,570
โ†‘ $997
1 Bed
From$653
To$1,640
โ†‘ $987
2 Bed
From$796
To$1,800
โ†‘ $1,004
3 Bed
From$1,075
To$2,255
โ†‘ $1,180
Raleigh, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400โ€“$1,880/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,416
Monthly in Ottumwa, IA
$7,567
Monthly in Raleigh, NC
$1,151
Difference

Home Values

Ottumwa
Raleigh
-
Median Value
$512K
-
YoY Change
โ†“ -0.5%
-
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +38.2%
-
Price Range
$314K - $992K

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $3.6K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$298
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
2.4%
Rate difference

Ottumwa, 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

Raleigh, NC

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
North Carolina State Tax
Effective: 4.8%
$7.1K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.4%
$44.1K
Take-Home Pay
$8,822/month
$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Ottumwa, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:1.5%

Raleigh, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

๐Ÿ’ก 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

Ottumwa
Raleigh
45 Good
Air Quality
46 Good
67.5%
Good Air Days
61.7%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
96 High
๐ŸŒกโ˜€๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
25 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
25 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Iowa and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

Similar cost to Raleigh, NC

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