Central City, IA vs Martelle, IA

Central City, IA and Martelle, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Central City scores 67 while Martelle scores 64 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 Central City is $715/month compared to $720/month in Martelle — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Central City has cheaper rent, Martelle actually has lower median home values ($130,000 vs $166,400).

Median household income in Central City is $81,607 compared to $95,000 in Martelle (-14.1%). Martelle offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Central City spend roughly 10.5% of their income on rent, more than the 9.1% in Martelle.