Belle Plaine, IA vs Essex, IA

Essex is moderately more affordable than Belle Plaine, with a 8.6% lower cost of living index. Belle Plaine scores 65 compared to 60 for Essex, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Belle Plaine can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Belle Plaine is $796/month compared to $681/month in Essex — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Essex is more affordable at $87,700 median vs $111,600.

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $70,517 compared to $57,344 in Essex (+23%). While Belle Plaine is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Belle Plaine spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 14.3% in Essex.