Boone, IA vs Polk City, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Boone is 20.6% cheaper than Polk City. With a cost index of 69 vs 87, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Boone to Polk City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Boone is $791/month compared to $746/month in Polk City — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Polk City has cheaper rent, Boone actually has lower median home values ($156,400 vs $385,000).

Median household income in Boone is $67,269 compared to $163,000 in Polk City (-58.7%). While Polk City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Boone spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, more than the 5.5% in Polk City.