Carter Lake, IA vs Gilbert, IA

Carter Lake, IA and Gilbert, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Carter Lake scores 79 while Gilbert scores 81 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 Carter Lake is $1,115/month compared to $887/month in Gilbert — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gilbert has cheaper rent, Carter Lake actually has lower median home values ($161,200 vs $267,200).

Median household income in Carter Lake is $75,037 compared to $112,250 in Gilbert (-33.2%). While Gilbert is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carter Lake spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 9.5% in Gilbert.