Carter Lake, IA vs Coon Rapids, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Coon Rapids is 20.1% cheaper than Carter Lake. With a cost index of 66 vs 79, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Coon Rapids to Carter Lake should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Carter Lake is $1,115/month compared to $760/month in Coon Rapids — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Coon Rapids is more affordable at $129,300 median vs $161,200.

Median household income in Carter Lake is $75,037 compared to $64,338 in Coon Rapids (+16.6%). The higher salaries in Carter Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Carter Lake spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 14.2% in Coon Rapids.