Asbury, IA vs Lake Mills, IA

The cost of living difference between Asbury, IA and Lake Mills, IA is dramatic. Lake Mills is 61.9% cheaper than Asbury, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Asbury has a cost index of 99 while Lake Mills sits at 61, 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 Asbury is $1,379/month compared to $615/month in Lake Mills — a 124% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake Mills is more affordable at $127,100 median vs $312,400.

Median household income in Asbury is $130,071 compared to $70,333 in Lake Mills (+84.9%). While Asbury is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Asbury spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Lake Mills.