Carter Lake, IA vs Pleasant Hill, IA

Carter Lake is moderately more affordable than Pleasant Hill, with a 13.9% lower cost of living index. Carter Lake scores 79 compared to 92 for Pleasant Hill, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pleasant Hill can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Carter Lake is $1,115/month compared to $1,204/month in Pleasant Hill — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carter Lake is more affordable at $161,200 median vs $284,100.

Median household income in Carter Lake is $75,037 compared to $86,890 in Pleasant Hill (-13.6%). The higher salaries in Pleasant Hill 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 16.6% in Pleasant Hill.