Blencoe, IA vs Dayton, IA

The cost of living difference between Blencoe, IA and Dayton, IA is dramatic. Dayton is 34.4% cheaper than Blencoe, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Blencoe has a cost index of 77 while Dayton sits at 57, 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 Blencoe is $1,281/month compared to $542/month in Dayton — a 136% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dayton has cheaper rent, Blencoe actually has lower median home values ($69,200 vs $106,900).

Median household income in Blencoe is $81,705 compared to $67,396 in Dayton (+21.2%). The higher salaries in Blencoe partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Blencoe spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 9.7% in Dayton.