Bridgewater, IA vs Kelley, IA

The cost of living difference between Bridgewater, IA and Kelley, IA is dramatic. Bridgewater is 32.2% cheaper than Kelley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bridgewater has a cost index of 54 while Kelley sits at 79, 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 Bridgewater is $535/month compared to $971/month in Kelley — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bridgewater is more affordable at $70,500 median vs $218,800.

Median household income in Bridgewater is $59,167 compared to $119,375 in Kelley (-50.4%). While Kelley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bridgewater spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, more than the 9.8% in Kelley.