Asbury, IA vs Monroe, IA

The cost of living difference between Asbury, IA and Monroe, IA is dramatic. Monroe is 40.2% cheaper than Asbury, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Asbury has a cost index of 99 while Monroe sits at 70, 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 $780/month in Monroe — a 77% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Monroe is more affordable at $173,500 median vs $312,400.

Median household income in Asbury is $130,071 compared to $81,488 in Monroe (+59.6%). 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 11.5% in Monroe.