Belle Plaine, IA vs Earlville, IA

Belle Plaine, IA and Earlville, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Belle Plaine scores 65 while Earlville scores 67 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 Belle Plaine is $796/month compared to $770/month in Earlville — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Earlville has cheaper rent, Belle Plaine actually has lower median home values ($111,600 vs $148,100).

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $70,517 compared to $71,125 in Earlville (-0.9%). Earlville does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Belle Plaine spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, more than the 13% in Earlville.