Are you considering a move to Ottumwa, Iowa, United States, and wondering about the cost of living? Ottumwa, Iowa is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Ottumwa, Iowa and help you understand whether $1577 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $None.
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
17.25 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
52.5 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
9.9 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
5.0 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
5.0 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
2.5 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
2.84 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
1.03 $ |
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|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.08 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
3.41 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
6.61 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
1.89 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
6.06 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
9.91 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
18.17 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
4.17 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.67 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
4.94 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
5.87 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
3.73 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
3.81 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
1.99 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
2.33 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
11.5 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
1.73 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
5.0 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
6.0 $ |
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Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
-- |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
-- |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
4.28 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
1.8 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
20.0 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
1.01 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
30975.0 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
30000.0 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
159.67 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
69.25 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
-- |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
-- |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
12.25 $ |
|
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
910.0 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
9000.0 $ |
|
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
57.0 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
48.0 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
65.33 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
118.5 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
-- |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
-- |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
-- |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
-- |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
-- |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
-- |
|
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Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
-- |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
6.7 % |
|
The monthly expenses for living in Ottumwa, Iowa come to a total of approximately $1577. This includes an average monthly rent of around $0 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $194 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $899 per month.
Living in Ottumwa, Iowa appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $None. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Ottumwa, Iowa, you would likely need an income exceeding $None.
In Ottumwa, Iowa, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $None, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Ottumwa, Iowa is approximately $0. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $None for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Ottumwa, Iowa can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $748 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in United States can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout United States.
There's a medium risk here due to high crime rates. You might even ask "Ottumwat is going on here?" There's one crime category that I had to verify through three sources because it was so high.
1015 Transit is the public transportation service here, and you can also call them for a ride, eliminating the need for a taxi or rideshare during operating hours. Having a car is the best plan, but the personalized service of the bus system is unique.
There's a medium risk here due to the fact that theft rates are so high. The rate per 100,000 people is 44% higher than the national average. It's not just your wallet you need to hold onto. Lock the car and hotel room doors and windows. If you're camping, leave nothing in plain sight.
Ottumwa, like all of Iowa, has medium risks of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, hail storms, snow/ice storms, and extreme temperatures. The Des Moines River flowing through the center of town adds a flooding risk. If you aren't used to these risks, please study the emergency management plan. It's easy for me, as a Midwestern woman, to tell you "It's not that big of a deal" because I've just gotten used to knowing the safe place when the tornado sirens go off and can add chains to my tires in record time. It took a lifetime of learning for me to get to this point.
The one anomaly in the crime data is the robbery rate, which is half the national average. There were 11 robberies reported in 2021. However, the way crime data is calculated, a robbery that escalates into an aggravated assault will be marked as only aggravated assault. The FBI is changing those rules moving forward, but that could explain why the robbery rate is so low and the assault rate is so high. I've gotta put this at a medium risk because it's very important to be aware of your surroundings and the crime risks that exist here.
There's a low risk in this small Iowa town. Des Moines would be the closest hard target. The real bad people to worry about are the criminals within the city.
The Better Business Bureau website for scams happening in Ottumwa is empty. However, with more investigation, I found only the basic phone scams that target residents. There's a low risk of a tourist-focused scam but keep your guard up.
There's a medium risk for women traveling here. I would give that rating based on just one crime category, even if the other categories weren't so high. The sexual assault rate is FIVE TIMES the national average here. There were 44 rapes in 2021 in a town of 25,000 people. Please use caution when visiting here. Don't be out after dark walking around, and never go to a private place with someone you have just met.
The 2022 Consumer Confidence Report from Ottumwa Water & Hydro shows no violations and all water meets or exceeds requirements. There's a low risk, but double-check that risk if there is any flooding happening during your visit.
Only people visiting from outside the U.S. will need a visa. You'll have to show your visa and passport to get through Customs at the airport, but you won't need your visa during your travels between Iowa's cities.
You can only use the U.S. Dollar here. You should exchange currency at the airport in case smaller towns don't have that option. Try to carry as little cash as necessary, and it's wise to hide it in a hidden jacket pocket or in your sock. Purchase as much as you can with one credit card so you can track purchases and signal any potential fraud.
The bitter cold winters of Iowa don't stop residents from going outside, so be sure to layer up in warm clothing with gloves and a hat on top of a thick coat and boots. You'll need light fabrics in the summer because it gets hot and humid here. Bring bug spray. I live in the Midwest and I walked outside the other night - on my patio - to take some storm photos and I was bitten by no less than 10 mosquitos in 10 minutes. I know better, but I share my embarrassing story so you can avoid the irritating marks of a mosquito bite.
The closest airport is going to be in Des Moines, and that's about a 90-minute drive. If there are bad road conditions in the winter, allow yourself plenty of time to get there.
Travel insurance is a great idea for a state that gets so much wild weather. Sometimes flights are delayed for a few minutes as a storm rolls through, other times it can be hours while runways are plowed and planes de-iced. Protect your trip with travel insurance so you don't lose money before you even get to Ottumwa, Iowa.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 33°F | 38°F | 51°F | 64°F | 74°F | 82°F | 86°F | 84°F | 76°F | 64°F | 50°F | 37°F |
| Temp | 24°F | 28°F | 40°F | 52°F | 63°F | 72°F | 76°F | 74°F | 66°F | 54°F | 41°F | 28°F |
| Low | 18°F | 22°F | 32°F | 44°F | 54°F | 63°F | 67°F | 65°F | 56°F | 45°F | 33°F | 22°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 0°C | 3°C | 10°C | 17°C | 23°C | 27°C | 30°C | 28°C | 24°C | 17°C | 10°C | 2°C |
| Temp | -4°C | -2°C | 4°C | 11°C | 17°C | 22°C | 24°C | 23°C | 18°C | 12°C | 5°C | -2°C |
| Low | -7°C | -5°C | 0°C | 6°C | 12°C | 17°C | 19°C | 18°C | 13°C | 7°C | 0°C | -5°C |