Bedford, IA vs Emmetsburg, IA

Bedford, IA and Emmetsburg, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Bedford scores 59 while Emmetsburg scores 59 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 Bedford is $663/month compared to $589/month in Emmetsburg — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Emmetsburg has cheaper rent, Bedford actually has lower median home values ($88,900 vs $114,600).

Median household income in Bedford is $57,031 compared to $57,353 in Emmetsburg (-0.6%). Emmetsburg offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bedford spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Emmetsburg.