Cedar Falls, IA vs Mason City, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Mason City is 26.4% cheaper than Cedar Falls. With a cost index of 69 vs 87, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Mason City to Cedar Falls should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cedar Falls is $1,177/month compared to $874/month in Mason City — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mason City is more affordable at $130,000 median vs $252,500.

Median household income in Cedar Falls is $74,165 compared to $62,369 in Mason City (+18.9%). The higher salaries in Cedar Falls partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Cedar Falls spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 16.8% in Mason City.