Bedford, IA vs Monticello, IA

Bedford is moderately more affordable than Monticello, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Bedford scores 59 compared to 65 for Monticello, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Monticello 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 $659/month in Monticello — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Monticello has cheaper rent, Bedford actually has lower median home values ($88,900 vs $160,500).

Median household income in Bedford is $57,031 compared to $67,788 in Monticello (-15.9%). While Monticello 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, more than the 11.7% in Monticello.