2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Iowa City, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ottumwa older or younger than people in Iowa City?
- The Median Age in Ottumwa is 11.6 years older than in Iowa City.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ottumwa or Iowa City?
- Ottumwa housing costs are 63.2% less expensive than Iowa City housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ottumwa or Iowa City?
- The average commute for residents of Ottumwa is 0.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Iowa City.

Things to do in Iowa City?
Iowa City, Iowa is a vibrant city located in the Midwestern United States. Home to attractions such as The University of Iowa and The Old Capitol Museum, visitors can explore outdoor activities and historical sites when visiting Iowa City. There are also plenty of museums, galleries, and performance venues such as The Kalona Historical Village and Studio Arts. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with movie theaters and live music clubs. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Iowa City has something for everyone!

Things to do in Ottumwa?
Ottumwa, IA is a charming city located in Wapello County. With an estimated population of 25,000 people, Ottumwa has something special for everyone. From outdoor activities like fishing and hiking to cultural attractions like the American Gothic House–there's always something new to explore in this lively city. Residents also benefit from easy access to quality public and private schools as well as excellent healthcare facilities. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation—Ottumwa has something special for everyone!

 Iowa City, IAOttumwa, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock25,379329,725,481
 Median Income$51,925  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$265,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.2%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.05  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Iowa City    24 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

I was there 5 years. Nothing to do but we’ll go shopping... at Walmart. It lacks so many things. There is no experience here, it jumps on any political band wagon and  More

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Over 5 years ago

Entertainment lacks greatly - especially the Hancher shows. I was hoping after they rebuilt they would be getting better shows there, that didn't happen. One has to  More

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Over 7 years ago

Iowa City is great. It's diverse and never boring. There always a variety of new shops and restaurants to explore and try out. Also watching college kids do stupid  More

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Reviews for Ottumwa    5 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Ottumwa has a seemingly high rate of theft-related crimes as well as drug use which I'm sure correlates to the incidences of assault. For a community of 20-30,000, the  More

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Over 16 years ago

ottumwa, Iowa has no diverse culture. It is not very open especially when it comes to branching out to new ideas of others culture...The idea of culture here is the pro  More

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Over 17 years ago

Pros: 1. Extremely low cost of living and housing 2. Affordable place to live Cons: 1. High crime rate 2. Very poor school system 3. Economically depressed 4.  More

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