Ackley, IA vs Dows, IA

Dows is moderately more affordable than Ackley, with a 5.4% lower cost of living index. Ackley scores 59 compared to 56 for Dows, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ackley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ackley is $677/month compared to $658/month in Dows — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dows is more affordable at $56,200 median vs $99,200.

Median household income in Ackley is $61,667 compared to $58,750 in Dows (+5%). The higher salaries in Ackley partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ackley spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 13.4% in Dows.