Cedar Falls, IA vs Indianola, IA

Indianola is moderately more affordable than Cedar Falls, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Cedar Falls scores 87 compared to 80 for Indianola, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Cedar Falls can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Cedar Falls is $1,177/month compared to $966/month in Indianola — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Indianola is more affordable at $228,100 median vs $252,500.

Median household income in Cedar Falls is $74,165 compared to $78,125 in Indianola (-5.1%). Indianola offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cedar Falls spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 14.8% in Indianola.