Ankeny, IA vs Mason City, IA

The cost of living difference between Ankeny, IA and Mason City, IA is dramatic. Mason City is 40.3% cheaper than Ankeny, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ankeny has a cost index of 97 while Mason City sits at 69, 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 Ankeny is $1,279/month compared to $874/month in Mason City — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mason City is more affordable at $130,000 median vs $311,300.

Median household income in Ankeny is $106,603 compared to $62,369 in Mason City (+70.9%). While Ankeny is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ankeny spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, less than the 16.8% in Mason City.