Carroll, IA vs Saylorville, IA

The cost of living difference between Carroll, IA and Saylorville, IA is dramatic. Carroll is 35.1% cheaper than Saylorville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Carroll has a cost index of 69 while Saylorville sits at 106, 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 $1,642/month in Saylorville — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carroll is more affordable at $184,100 median vs $287,700.

Median household income in Carroll is $59,323 compared to $80,250 in Saylorville (-26.1%). The higher salaries in Saylorville 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 24.6% in Saylorville.