Carroll, IA vs Rock Valley, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Carroll is 17% cheaper than Rock Valley. With a cost index of 69 vs 83, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Carroll to Rock Valley should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Carroll is $718/month compared to $1,070/month in Rock Valley — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carroll is more affordable at $184,100 median vs $225,800.

Median household income in Carroll is $59,323 compared to $67,012 in Rock Valley (-11.5%). The higher salaries in Rock Valley partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Carroll spend roughly 14.5% of their income on rent, less than the 19.2% in Rock Valley.