Bedford, IA vs Lewis, IA

Bedford, IA and Lewis, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Bedford scores 59 while Lewis scores 57 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 $638/month in Lewis — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lewis is more affordable at $60,700 median vs $88,900.

Median household income in Bedford is $57,031 compared to $34,341 in Lewis (+66.1%). While Bedford is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bedford spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, less than the 22.3% in Lewis.