Ackley, IA vs Forest City, IA

Ackley is moderately more affordable than Forest City, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Ackley scores 59 compared to 65 for Forest City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Forest City 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 $719/month in Forest City — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ackley is more affordable at $99,200 median vs $136,400.

Median household income in Ackley is $61,667 compared to $62,917 in Forest City (-2%). Forest City does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Ackley spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 13.7% in Forest City.