salaryRent is lower than in 80% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $45,080 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Iowa. It is number 49 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Muscatine?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Muscatine
| Size | Muscatine | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,202 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $824 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,096 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,191 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,295 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Muscatine overall?
Everyday prices in Iowa overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Muscatine, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Muscatine
Life in Muscatine
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Muscatine?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $61 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $153,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,360 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Muscatine, IA?
Renting in Muscatine costs a median of about $1,127 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Muscatine?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $45,080 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Muscatine cheap or expensive?
Muscatine is rated OK: rent takes 21.6% of the typical household income of $62,679. It ranks 49th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Muscatine?
The median homeowner in Muscatine pays $2,556 a year in property taxes, about 1.66% of the median home value.
Is Muscatine more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Iowa are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Muscatine?
The median home value in Muscatine is $153,600, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.
23,489 people live in Muscatine. Numbers are typical (middle) values.