Direct Answer
Davenport, IA has a CostOfCity index of 84, which is 16% below the national baseline. Average modeled rent is $978/month and the single-adult living cost estimate is $3,296/month.
How to Use This City Page
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.
Davenport has one of America's genuine bargain markets, where a median income buys a comfortable life
The housing market features a housing market where the American Dream of owning a home is still financially realistic
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..
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
Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Davenport, your dollar buys 19% more than the national average.
🔺 Where Davenport Costs More
🔽 Where Davenport Costs Less
💰 Salary Landscape
vs national average · higher = better
Monthly Living Expenses in Davenport
What it actually costs to live in Davenport each month — from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.
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.
🏠 Home Services in Davenport
What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels
Roof Replacement
-18%HVAC Installation
-17%Plumbing Services
-23%Electrical Work
-11%Kitchen Remodel
-28%Bathroom Remodel
-22%House Painting
-42%Flooring Installation
-19%Landscaping
-34%Fence Installation
-33%Window Replacement
-38%Solar Panel Installation
-41%Water Heater Replacement
-20%Deck Building
-31%Pool Installation
-6%Tree Removal
-26%Garage Door Repair
-43%💼 Business Startup Costs in Davenport
Full startup cost breakdowns — from lease deposits to working capital
Start a Restaurant
-31%Start a Coffee Shop
-17%Start a Food Truck
-7%Start a Gym
-32%Start a Daycare
-30%Start a Hair Salon
-24%Start a Laundromat
-28%Start a Bakery
-1%Start a Bar
-17%Start a Cleaning Business
-12%Start an Airbnb
-16%Start a Trucking Business
-26%📊 Cost of Living in Davenport
Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities
Cost of Living
-18%Rent Prices
-31%Grocery Costs
-6%Utility Costs
-2%Transportation Costs
-13%Childcare Costs
-26%Gym Membership
-5%🛡️ Insurance in Davenport
Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories
Car Insurance
-2%Home Insurance
-2%Health Insurance
-35%Business Insurance
-34%Life Insurance
-26%Renters Insurance
-11%Pet Insurance
-13%Dental Insurance
+5%Motorcycle Insurance
-33%⚖️ Legal Services in Davenport
Attorney fees, court costs, and total legal service expenses
Personal Injury Lawyer
-13%Divorce Lawyer
-9%DUI Lawyer
-15%Immigration Lawyer
-28%Estate Planning Lawyer
-19%Workers Comp Lawyer
-28%Bankruptcy Lawyer
-32%💰 Salaries & Jobs in Davenport
Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization
Software Developer Salary
-9%Registered Nurse Salary
-24%Teacher Salary
-8%Electrician Salary
-8%Plumber Salary
-15%Accountant Salary
-22%Physical Therapist Salary
-23%Police Officer Salary
-15%Dentist Salary
-26%Real Estate Agent Salary
+4%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
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.
CostOfCity Value Index
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.
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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
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