Brighton, IA vs Parnell, IA

Brighton is moderately more affordable than Parnell, with a 14.4% lower cost of living index. Brighton scores 61 compared to 71 for Parnell, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Parnell can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Brighton is $698/month compared to $950/month in Parnell — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brighton is more affordable at $87,700 median vs $118,800.

Median household income in Brighton is $55,000 compared to $56,667 in Parnell (-2.9%). Parnell does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Brighton spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Parnell.