Iowa · MidwestVery Affordable CityUpdated March 2026

Cost of Living in Davenport, IA

Detailed cost data for 38 topics across 6 categories — from rent and groceries to business startup costs and professional salaries.

Cost Index
84
16% below national average
100 = national baseline
102K
Population
$46K
Median Income
$1,690/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$3,997/mo
Living Cost (Single)
✍️ Reviewed by Marcus Rivera, Urban Economics Researcher📅 Last verified: March 2026
BLSCensusHUD

Cost of Living in Davenport: The Full Picture

Planning a move to Davenport or benchmarking your current costs? This page covers every metric we track for this IA smaller city — from roof replacements and HVAC work to insurance premiums and professional salaries. At a cost index of 84, you'll find prices below the national average across most categories. The polar vortex isn't a meme here — it's a $3,000 furnace repair bill.

A
Overall
A+
Housing
A
Food
A
Healthcare
A
Transport
B
Utilities
💼 Economy

Davenport has one of America's genuine bargain markets, where a median income buys a comfortable life

🏠 Housing

The housing market features a housing market where the American Dream of owning a home is still financially realistic

🌤️ Climate & Lifestyle

The polar vortex isn't a meme here — it's a $3,000 furnace repair bill. Winterizing your home is an annual ritual.. The lifestyle here is characterized by Front-porch conversations, Friday fish fries, and a cost of living that leaves room for actual savings..

💡 The Bottom Line

Davenport is a standout value market. With costs sitting 16% below average, it's one of the most budget-friendly metros we track. Quality of life per dollar spent here is hard to beat.

💰 Purchasing Power in Davenport

$50K salary
≈ $60K
+$10K real value
$75K salary
≈ $89K
+$14K real value
$100K salary
≈ $119K
+$19K real value
$150K salary
≈ $179K
+$29K real value

Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Davenport, your dollar buys 19% more than the national average.

Monthly Living Expenses in Davenport

What it actually costs to live in Davenport each month — from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.

LifestyleSingle PersonCoupleFamily of 4
🟡Tight / Frugal$1,850/mo$3,200/mo$4,200/mo
🟢Comfortable$2,950/mo$4,850/mo$6,300/mo
🟣Generous$4,600/mo$7,550/mo$10,100/mo

Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Davenport's cost index of 84 applied to national spending surveys.

🏘️ Neighborhood Cost Variation

Don't let the metro-wide numbers fool you — Davenport is a city of micro-markets. The most expensive ZIP codes can cost twice as much as the most affordable ones for identical services. Shop around by neighborhood and you'll find genuine pockets of value.

Davenport vs U.S. Average Cost of Living

Category-by-category affordability grades — based on deviation from the national average.

Grades: A+/A = very affordable · B = average · C/D = expensive · For salaries, higher = better

🏠 Home Services in Davenport

What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels

💼 Business Startup Costs in Davenport

Full startup cost breakdowns — from lease deposits to working capital

📊 Cost of Living in Davenport

Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities

🛡️ Insurance in Davenport

Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories

💰 Salaries & Jobs in Davenport

Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization

How Much Income Do You Need in Davenport?

✅ Best For

  • Retirees on fixed incomes
  • Anyone building an emergency fund
  • Families prioritizing savings
  • Remote workers keeping coastal salaries

⚠️ Not Ideal For

  • Those seeking dense urban amenities
  • Workers in highly specialized tech roles
💬 Expert Tip

Research Davenport's neighborhoods carefully — costs can vary by 20-40% within the metro area. The most popular areas are affordable enough that location flexibility is a real advantage.

How Does Davenport Compare?

Pick a nearby city and see the full cost comparison across all 38 topics.

CostOfCity Value Index

D
Davenport Value Score: 33/100
Below Average
Affordability Ratio
2.21x
Stretched
Savings Potential
33%
of median income
Value Score
18/100
income-adjusted
Growth Risk
60/100
Stable costs

The CostOfCity Value Index combines cost-of-living data with median income, savings potential, and cost growth trends to produce a single score. Higher = better value for your money. Updated quarterly.

📦

Free Relocation Blueprint

Your complete moving budget for Davenport, IA

Monthly Budget
$3,090
Moving Costs
$2,000 – $4,500
Deposits Est.
$4,225
Cost Index
84

Get a personalized PDF with first-month costs, 12-month cash projection, neighborhood tips, and a moving checklist — tailored to your household size and origin city.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Davenport

Is Davenport, IA expensive to live in?

Davenport's cost of living index is 84, which is 16% below the national average of 100. Davenport is one of the more affordable US cities.

What are the most expensive cost categories in Davenport?

Like most US cities, housing is the single largest expense in Davenport, typically accounting for 30-40% of household budgets. Insurance and home services tend to be the next most variable categories, influenced by midwestern climate conditions and state regulations.

Is Davenport a good place to start a business?

Davenport's business environment is shaped by IA's regulatory framework and local commercial real estate costs. Below-average operating costs give businesses more runway to reach profitability. Check our business startup cost data for specific figures.

Explore Davenport in Depth

🏠 Living Alone
Solo budget breakdown for Davenport
💰 Salary Needed
Minimum salary to live in Davenport
📊 Can I Afford It?
Budget check for Davenport
📋 Monthly Budget
Full monthly breakdown
🗺️ Iowa Overview
Compare all cities in Iowa

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