Batavia, IA vs Laurel, IA

Laurel is moderately more affordable than Batavia, with a 13.9% lower cost of living index. Batavia scores 71 compared to 63 for Laurel, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Batavia can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Batavia is $1,021/month compared to $713/month in Laurel — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Laurel is more affordable at $104,300 median vs $104,400.

Median household income in Batavia is $54,432 compared to $59,167 in Laurel (-8%). Laurel offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Batavia spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.5% in Laurel.