Belle Plaine, IA vs Oelwein, IA

Belle Plaine, IA and Oelwein, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Belle Plaine scores 65 while Oelwein scores 63 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 $762/month in Oelwein — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oelwein is more affordable at $96,800 median vs $111,600.

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $70,517 compared to $49,821 in Oelwein (+41.5%). 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 18.4% in Oelwein.