Adel, IA vs Rockwell City, IA

The cost of living difference between Adel, IA and Rockwell City, IA is dramatic. Rockwell City is 32.8% cheaper than Adel, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Adel has a cost index of 84 while Rockwell City sits at 63, 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 $797/month in Rockwell City — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rockwell City is more affordable at $91,300 median vs $320,500.

Median household income in Adel is $96,905 compared to $61,563 in Rockwell City (+57.4%). 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 15.5% in Rockwell City.