Carroll, IA vs Johnston, IA

The cost of living difference between Carroll, IA and Johnston, IA is dramatic. Carroll is 31.2% cheaper than Johnston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Carroll has a cost index of 69 while Johnston sits at 100, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Carroll is $718/month compared to $1,288/month in Johnston — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carroll is more affordable at $184,100 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Carroll is $59,323 compared to $103,430 in Johnston (-42.6%). While Johnston 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 14.9% in Johnston.