Charles City, IA vs Rockwell City, IA

Charles City, IA and Rockwell City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Charles City scores 61 while Rockwell City scores 63 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 Charles City is $628/month compared to $797/month in Rockwell City — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Charles City has cheaper rent, Rockwell City actually has lower median home values ($91,300 vs $118,900).

Median household income in Charles City is $56,734 compared to $61,563 in Rockwell City (-7.8%). While Rockwell City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Charles City spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Rockwell City.