Bode, IA vs Bridgewater, IA

Bode, IA and Bridgewater, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Bode scores 54 while Bridgewater scores 54 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 Bode is $542/month compared to $535/month in Bridgewater — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bridgewater has cheaper rent, Bode actually has lower median home values ($69,300 vs $70,500).

Median household income in Bode is $63,750 compared to $59,167 in Bridgewater (+7.7%). While Bode is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bode spend roughly 10.2% of their income on rent, less than the 10.9% in Bridgewater.