Belle Plaine, IA vs West Point, IA

Belle Plaine, IA and West Point, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Belle Plaine scores 65 while West Point scores 62 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 $581/month in West Point — a 37% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Point has cheaper rent, Belle Plaine actually has lower median home values ($111,600 vs $158,700).

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $70,517 compared to $66,000 in West Point (+6.8%). 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, more than the 10.6% in West Point.