Carroll, IA vs Mason City, IA

Carroll, IA and Mason City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Carroll scores 69 while Mason City scores 69 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 $874/month in Mason City — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carroll has cheaper rent, Mason City actually has lower median home values ($130,000 vs $184,100).

Median household income in Carroll is $59,323 compared to $62,369 in Mason City (-4.9%). While Mason City 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 16.8% in Mason City.