Albert City, IA vs Crystal Lake, IA

Albert City, IA and Crystal Lake, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Albert City scores 63 while Crystal Lake scores 64 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 Albert City is $778/month compared to $830/month in Crystal Lake — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Albert City has cheaper rent, Crystal Lake actually has lower median home values ($86,000 vs $92,500).

Median household income in Albert City is $76,094 compared to $82,500 in Crystal Lake (-7.8%). While Crystal Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Albert City spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, more than the 12.1% in Crystal Lake.