Brighton, IA vs Laurel, IA

Brighton, IA and Laurel, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Brighton scores 61 while Laurel scores 63 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 Brighton is $698/month compared to $713/month in Laurel — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brighton is more affordable at $87,700 median vs $104,300.

Median household income in Brighton is $55,000 compared to $59,167 in Laurel (-7%). While Laurel is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brighton spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, more than the 14.5% in Laurel.