Cascade, IA vs Decorah, IA

Cascade, IA and Decorah, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Cascade scores 73 while Decorah scores 75 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 $788/month in Decorah — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Decorah has cheaper rent, Cascade actually has lower median home values ($196,100 vs $234,600).

Median household income in Cascade is $69,861 compared to $62,177 in Decorah (+12.4%). Cascade offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cascade spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 15.2% in Decorah.