Cascade, IA vs Clear Lake, IA

Cascade, IA and Clear Lake, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Cascade scores 73 while Clear Lake scores 74 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 Cascade is $822/month compared to $755/month in Clear Lake — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Clear Lake has cheaper rent, Cascade actually has lower median home values ($196,100 vs $235,100).

Median household income in Cascade is $69,861 compared to $70,278 in Clear Lake (-0.6%). Clear Lake does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Cascade spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, more than the 12.9% in Clear Lake.