Arthur, IA vs Elgin, IA

Arthur, IA and Elgin, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Arthur scores 56 while Elgin scores 58 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 Arthur is $630/month compared to $634/month in Elgin — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arthur is more affordable at $65,000 median vs $87,300.

Median household income in Arthur is $53,750 compared to $60,114 in Elgin (-10.6%). While Elgin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arthur spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, more than the 12.7% in Elgin.