Davenport vs Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Davenport
Salem
The Verdict
Davenport is 20.2% less expensive than Salem overall. A household earning $75,000 in Davenport would need approximately $93,976 in Salem to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $93,976 in Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salem equals $59,856 in Davenport.
Living in Davenport vs Salem
Housing Costs
Davenport's housing index of 60 is lower Salem's 118, translating to median home prices of $212,000 vs $400,000. The $188,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,216 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Davenport compared to $1,275/mo in Salem, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Davenport and 100 in Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Davenport vs $475/month in Salem. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Davenport and 97 in Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Davenport vs $388 in Salem. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Davenport and 100 in Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $66,200 in Davenport and $66,400 in Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,759 and $63,846 respectively. Davenport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,545/month to housing in Davenport vs $1,549/month in Salem. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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