Anamosa, IA vs Lake Mills, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lake Mills is 18.6% cheaper than Anamosa. With a cost index of 61 vs 72, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lake Mills to Anamosa should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Anamosa is $897/month compared to $615/month in Lake Mills — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake Mills is more affordable at $127,100 median vs $164,900.

Median household income in Anamosa is $56,167 compared to $70,333 in Lake Mills (-20.1%). 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 Anamosa spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Lake Mills.