Bedford, IA vs Packwood, IA

Bedford, IA and Packwood, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Bedford scores 59 while Packwood scores 61 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 $750/month in Packwood — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bedford has cheaper rent, Packwood actually has lower median home values ($79,100 vs $88,900).

Median household income in Bedford is $57,031 compared to $43,750 in Packwood (+30.4%). 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 20.6% in Packwood.