Brooklyn, IA vs Forest City, IA

Brooklyn, IA and Forest City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Brooklyn scores 67 while Forest City scores 65 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 Brooklyn is $813/month compared to $719/month in Forest City — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Forest City has cheaper rent, Brooklyn actually has lower median home values ($123,600 vs $136,400).

Median household income in Brooklyn is $71,500 compared to $62,917 in Forest City (+13.6%). While Brooklyn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brooklyn spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 13.7% in Forest City.