Carroll, IA vs Osage, IA

Carroll, IA and Osage, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Carroll scores 69 while Osage scores 66 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 $735/month in Osage — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carroll has cheaper rent, Osage actually has lower median home values ($141,800 vs $184,100).

Median household income in Carroll is $59,323 compared to $62,309 in Osage (-4.8%). Osage 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, more than the 14.2% in Osage.