Bellevue, IA vs Kanawha, IA

The cost of living difference between Bellevue, IA and Kanawha, IA is dramatic. Kanawha is 35.3% cheaper than Bellevue, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellevue has a cost index of 73 while Kanawha sits at 54, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellevue is $826/month compared to $525/month in Kanawha — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kanawha is more affordable at $79,900 median vs $210,500.

Median household income in Bellevue is $78,792 compared to $66,481 in Kanawha (+18.5%). The higher salaries in Bellevue partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellevue spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, more than the 9.5% in Kanawha.