Ackley, IA vs Jefferson, IA

Ackley is moderately more affordable than Jefferson, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Ackley scores 59 compared to 65 for Jefferson, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Jefferson 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 $745/month in Jefferson — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ackley is more affordable at $99,200 median vs $126,900.

Median household income in Ackley is $61,667 compared to $54,286 in Jefferson (+13.6%). Ackley offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ackley spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 16.5% in Jefferson.