Adel, IA vs Belle Plaine, IA

The cost of living difference between Adel, IA and Belle Plaine, IA is dramatic. Belle Plaine is 30.1% cheaper than Adel, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Adel has a cost index of 84 while Belle Plaine sits at 65, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Adel is $842/month compared to $796/month in Belle Plaine — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belle Plaine is more affordable at $111,600 median vs $320,500.

Median household income in Adel is $96,905 compared to $70,517 in Belle Plaine (+37.4%). While Adel is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Adel spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 13.5% in Belle Plaine.