Audubon, IA vs Red Oak, IA

Audubon, IA and Red Oak, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Audubon scores 62 while Red Oak scores 63 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 Audubon is $718/month compared to $768/month in Red Oak — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Audubon has cheaper rent, Red Oak actually has lower median home values ($91,600 vs $92,800).

Median household income in Audubon is $41,389 compared to $52,996 in Red Oak (-21.9%). While Red Oak is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Audubon spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Red Oak.