Baxter, IA vs McCallsburg, IA

Baxter, IA and McCallsburg, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Baxter scores 67 while McCallsburg scores 65 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 Baxter is $693/month compared to $629/month in McCallsburg — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while McCallsburg has cheaper rent, Baxter actually has lower median home values ($162,300 vs $169,000).

Median household income in Baxter is $60,625 compared to $72,898 in McCallsburg (-16.8%). McCallsburg offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Baxter spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, more than the 10.4% in McCallsburg.