2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Salinas, CA vs Ottumwa, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ottumwa or is it cheaper to live in Salinas?
- Ottumwa is 53.2% less expensive than Salinas.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ottumwa or Salinas?
- Ottumwa housing costs are 88.5% less expensive than Salinas housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Salinas or is Health Care more affordable in Ottumwa.
- Health related expenses are 17.0% less in Ottumwa.
 Salinas, CAOttumwa, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock71.1100
 Food & Groceries104.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock119.3100
 Housing215.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$97,700$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock62.8100
 Miscellaneous112.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Salinas    15 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

Sacred Heart School is a fine Catholic school in the heart of Salinas, Ca. Victoria Torcolini was principal of this PK-8 school from 2006-2009. Under her leadership, SHS  More

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Over 13 years ago

I Was born and raise in salinas. In 2006 my family moved to the central valley. I moved back to salinas in 2011. I moved back Because I got a better job in Carmel. I  More

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Salinas, California has some of the best weather in Central California. I love looking out at the mountain ranges that line the Salinas River Valley. It's a shame that  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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