Arcadia, IA vs Rockwell City, IA

Rockwell City is moderately more affordable than Arcadia, with a 7.1% lower cost of living index. Arcadia scores 68 compared to 63 for Rockwell City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Arcadia can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Arcadia is $816/month compared to $797/month in Rockwell City — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rockwell City is more affordable at $91,300 median vs $139,500.

Median household income in Arcadia is $69,408 compared to $61,563 in Rockwell City (+12.7%). While Arcadia is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arcadia spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Rockwell City.