Chelsea, IA vs Janesville, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Chelsea is 16.8% cheaper than Janesville. With a cost index of 56 vs 67, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Chelsea to Janesville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chelsea is $681/month compared to $625/month in Janesville — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Janesville has cheaper rent, Chelsea actually has lower median home values ($43,100 vs $214,700).

Median household income in Chelsea is $32,188 compared to $84,231 in Janesville (-61.8%). While Janesville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chelsea spend roughly 25.4% of their income on rent, more than the 8.9% in Janesville.