Carroll, IA vs Marshalltown, IA

Carroll, IA and Marshalltown, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Carroll scores 69 while Marshalltown scores 68 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 $864/month in Marshalltown — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carroll has cheaper rent, Marshalltown actually has lower median home values ($117,100 vs $184,100).

Median household income in Carroll is $59,323 compared to $68,854 in Marshalltown (-13.8%). Marshalltown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carroll spend roughly 14.5% of their income on rent, less than the 15.1% in Marshalltown.