Carroll, IA vs Jefferson, IA

Carroll, IA and Jefferson, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Carroll scores 69 while Jefferson 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 Carroll is $718/month compared to $745/month in Jefferson — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carroll has cheaper rent, Jefferson actually has lower median home values ($126,900 vs $184,100).

Median household income in Carroll is $59,323 compared to $54,286 in Jefferson (+9.3%). While Carroll is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carroll spend roughly 14.5% of their income on rent, less than the 16.5% in Jefferson.