Carlisle, IA vs Le Mars, IA

Carlisle, IA and Le Mars, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Carlisle scores 77 while Le Mars scores 76 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 Carlisle is $896/month compared to $908/month in Le Mars — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carlisle has cheaper rent, Le Mars actually has lower median home values ($202,200 vs $208,100).

Median household income in Carlisle is $98,333 compared to $72,381 in Le Mars (+35.9%). While Carlisle is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carlisle spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, less than the 15.1% in Le Mars.