Belle Plaine, IA vs Hiawatha, IA

Belle Plaine is moderately more affordable than Hiawatha, with a 12.9% lower cost of living index. Belle Plaine scores 65 compared to 74 for Hiawatha, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hiawatha 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 $846/month in Hiawatha — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belle Plaine is more affordable at $111,600 median vs $210,200.

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $70,517 compared to $67,628 in Hiawatha (+4.3%). Belle Plaine offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belle Plaine spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 15% in Hiawatha.