đź“Š Lifestyle Match
Visualizing the tradeoffs between Davenport and Los Angeles
Head-to-Head Analysis
Davenport vs Los Angeles
Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.
đź“‹ The Details
Line-by-line data comparison.
| Category / Metric | Davenport | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Overview | ||
| Median Income | $69,595 | $79,701 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.5% |
| Housing Market | ||
| Median Home Price | $199,750 | $1,002,500 |
| Price per SqFt | $124 | $616 |
| Monthly Rent (1BR) | $773 | $2,006 |
| Housing Cost Index | 100.0 | 173.0 |
| Cost of Living | ||
| Groceries Index | 94.9 | 107.9 |
| Gas Price (Gallon) | $3.40 | $3.98 |
| Safety & Lifestyle | ||
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 456.0 | 732.5 |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 39.2% |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 34 | 52 |
Expert Verdict
AI-generated analysis based on current data.
Here is the ultimate head-to-head showdown between Los Angeles and Davenport.
The Vibe Check: Hollywood Glamour vs. Heartland Hustle
Let’s cut to the chase. You aren't just choosing a zip code; you're choosing a lifestyle. This is a clash of titans: the global icon versus the under-the-radar workhorse.
Los Angeles is the city of dreams, and also the city of traffic jams. It’s a sprawling, sun-drenched metropolis where the entertainment industry hums, the food scene is world-class, and the Pacific Ocean is your backyard. The vibe is ambitious, diverse, and fast-paced. You’re trading space and sanity for access to the coast and an endless calendar of things to do. It’s for the go-getter who wants to be where the action is, even if that action costs a small fortune.
Davenport, on the other hand, is the quiet engine of the Quad Cities. Located on the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, it’s a city of genuine Midwestern pragmatism. The vibe is grounded, community-focused, and unpretentious. You’re trading the glitz of Hollywood for the affordability of the heartland. It’s for the person who wants a stable, comfortable life without the constant chaos of a mega-city. It’s where you go to build a future without fighting for every scrap of it.
Who is each city for?
- Los Angeles is for the ambitious professional, the creative, the foodie, and the beach lover who has the budget (or the grit) to make it work.
- Davenport is for the young family, the remote worker, or the practical professional who values financial freedom and a slower pace of life above all else.
The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Actually Stretch?
This is where the "sticker shock" sets in for Los Angeles. The numbers tell a brutal story about purchasing power. Let's break it down.
Cost of Living & Salary Wars
| Category | Los Angeles, CA | Davenport, IA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $1,002,500 | $199,750 | Davenport (by a landslide) |
| Median Rent (1BR) | $2,006 | $773 | Davenport |
| Housing Index | 173.0 | 100.0 | Davenport |
| Median Income | $79,701 | $69,595 | Los Angeles |
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 732.5 | 456.0 | Davenport |
The Math of "Feeling Rich"
Let’s play a game. You earn $100,000 a year.
- In Los Angeles: You are earning $20,299 above the median income. Sounds great! But your rent for a 1-bedroom is $2,006/month, or $24,072/year. That’s 24% of your pre-tax income gone just for housing. That’s before California’s high state income tax (which can be up to 13.3%), plus federal taxes. After taxes and rent, you’re left with about $45,000-$50,000 for everything else. You’re middle class, but you’ll feel the pinch.
- In Davenport: You are earning $30,405 above the median income. Your rent for a 1-bedroom is $773/month, or $9,276/year. That’s just 9.3% of your pre-tax income. Iowa has a relatively low income tax (top rate of 6.5%). After taxes and rent, you’re left with about $65,000-$70,000. You feel wealthy. You have serious cash flow for savings, investments, and travel.
The Tax Hammer
California has a progressive income tax that starts at 1% and goes up to 13.3% for high earners. Iowa’s tax is much flatter, topping out at 6.5%. There’s no state income tax in Texas, but for California, it’s a massive factor. In Davenport, you keep more of what you earn.
Verdict on Purchasing Power: Davenport isn’t just cheaper; it’s a different financial universe. For the same salary, your quality of life in terms of housing and disposable income is exponentially higher in Davenport.
The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent & The Competition
Los Angeles: The Seller’s Market of Dreams (and Nightmares)
The LA housing market is a beast. A median home price of $1,002,500 means you need a massive down payment (aim for $200,000+) and an income well into the six figures to qualify. It’s a fiercely competitive seller’s market. Bidding wars are standard. You often waive contingencies, which is a risky gamble. Renting is the default for most, but even that is punishing. The $2,006 median rent is just the average; desirable neighborhoods (Silver Lake, Santa Monica) can be 50% higher. Availability is tight, and landlords can be picky.
Davenport: The Buyer’s Market of Stability
Davenport’s median home price of $199,750 is a breath of fresh air. A 20% down payment is around $40,000, a feasible goal for many. The market is far more balanced, leaning toward a buyer’s market. You have room to negotiate. You can find a solid 3-bedroom home for under $250,000. Rent is not just cheaper; it’s more stable, with less competition. For the price of a small LA apartment, you can own a home with a yard in Davenport.
Verdict on Housing: Davenport wins overwhelmingly. LA’s market is for the ultra-wealthy or the perpetual renter. Davenport offers the classic American dream of homeownership within reach.
The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life
Traffic & Commute:
- Los Angeles: This is a legendary dealbreaker. The average commute is 32 minutes, but that’s deceptive. Traffic is constant, unpredictable, and can turn a 10-mile trip into an hour-long ordeal. The "rush hour" is from 7 AM to 7 PM. You will spend a significant portion of your life in a car.
- Davenport: Traffic is a non-issue. A 15-minute commute is standard. You can get across town in 20 minutes almost anytime. The stress of driving is minimal. This is a massive, often overlooked, quality-of-life victory.
Weather & Climate:
- Los Angeles: The data says 54.0°F as the average, but that’s misleading. LA has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are dry and warm to hot (average 75-85°F, often spiking to 90°F+), with low humidity. Winters are mild and rainy. It’s consistently pleasant. The biggest downside is the marine layer (fog) and Santa Ana winds.
- Davenport: The data says 27.0°F—that’s a brutal winter average. Davenport has a true four-season climate. Summers are hot and humid (85-90°F with high humidity), and winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing and significant snowfall. You need a winter coat, snow tires, and a mindset for seasonal changes.
Crime & Safety:
- Los Angeles: Violent crime is 732.5 per 100k. This is significantly above the national average. While many neighborhoods are safe, crime is a reality of big city life. You must be street-smart. Property crime is also a major concern.
- Davenport: Violent crime is 456.0 per 100k. While this is also above the national average (which is around 380), it’s notably lower than LA’s. Davenport is generally considered safe, especially in its suburbs. The sense of community is stronger, and crime is less of a pervasive concern.
Verdict on Dealbreakers: It depends on your priorities. If you hate traffic and hate cold, LA wins. If you prefer shorter commutes, lower crime, and can handle (or even enjoy) seasonal weather, Davenport wins.
The Final Verdict: Who Should Pack Their Bags?
This isn’t about declaring one city objectively better. It’s about matching the city to the person.
🏆 Winner for Families: Davenport
Why: The math is undeniable. For the price of a 2-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, you can own a 4-bedroom home with a yard, in a safe neighborhood with good schools. The lower cost of living means less financial stress, which is critical for a family. The slower pace, community focus, and lack of soul-crushing commutes are gifts to any parent. Davenport offers a stable, affordable foundation to raise a family.
🏆 Winner for Singles & Young Professionals: Los Angeles
Why: If you’re in your 20s or early 30s and your career is in entertainment, tech, or creative fields, LA is the epicenter. The networking opportunities, the social scene, the energy—it’s unparalleled. Yes, you’ll likely be a renter and have roommates, but you’re buying into an experience and an ecosystem. Davenport’s social scene is limited; LA’s is endless.
🏆 Winner for Retirees: Davenport
Why: On a fixed income, LA is a nightmare. The high costs of housing, healthcare, and daily life would drain savings quickly. Davenport’s affordability is a retiree’s dream. You can sell a home in a high-cost city, buy a beautiful home in Davenport for cash, and live comfortably on Social Security and your nest egg. The slower pace and strong community are also perfect for retirement.
At a Glance: Pros & Cons
Los Angeles, CA
Pros:
- World-class dining, arts, and entertainment.
- Proximity to beaches, mountains, and deserts.
- Unmatched career opportunities in specific industries.
- Mild, sunny weather most of the year.
- Incredible cultural and ethnic diversity.
Cons:
- Extreme cost of living. Housing is unaffordable for most.
- Brutal traffic and long commutes.
- High state income tax.
- Above-average crime rates.
- Competitive, high-pressure social environment.
Davenport, IA
Pros:
- Extremely low cost of living. Your salary stretches incredibly far.
- Easy housing market. Homeownership is within reach.
- Short commutes and minimal traffic.
- Sense of community and Midwestern friendliness.
- Lower violent crime than LA.
Cons:
- Harsh, cold winters with significant snow.
- Limited nightlife and entertainment options.
- Career opportunities are not as diverse or high-paying.
- Less cultural diversity and fewer "big city" amenities.
- Humid, hot summers.
The Bottom Line: Choose Los Angeles if you’re chasing a specific dream and have the budget (or the tolerance for struggle) to match it. Choose Davenport if you’re building a life, value financial freedom, and believe quality of life means having more time and money, not more stress.