Baxter, IA vs Saylorville, IA

The cost of living difference between Baxter, IA and Saylorville, IA is dramatic. Baxter is 36.9% cheaper than Saylorville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Baxter has a cost index of 67 while Saylorville sits at 106, 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 Baxter is $693/month compared to $1,642/month in Saylorville — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Baxter is more affordable at $162,300 median vs $287,700.

Median household income in Baxter is $60,625 compared to $80,250 in Saylorville (-24.5%). The higher salaries in Saylorville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Baxter spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.6% in Saylorville.