Ainsworth, IA vs Lake Mills, IA

Ainsworth, IA and Lake Mills, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Ainsworth scores 63 while Lake Mills scores 61 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ainsworth is $714/month compared to $615/month in Lake Mills — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lake Mills has cheaper rent, Ainsworth actually has lower median home values ($110,300 vs $127,100).

Median household income in Ainsworth is $67,115 compared to $70,333 in Lake Mills (-4.6%). Lake Mills offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ainsworth spend roughly 12.8% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Lake Mills.