Bedford, IA vs Jefferson, IA

Bedford is moderately more affordable than Jefferson, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Bedford scores 59 compared to 65 for Jefferson, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Jefferson can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bedford is $663/month compared to $745/month in Jefferson — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bedford is more affordable at $88,900 median vs $126,900.

Median household income in Bedford is $57,031 compared to $54,286 in Jefferson (+5.1%). Bedford 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, less than the 16.5% in Jefferson.