Chelsea, IA vs Keosauqua, IA

Chelsea, IA and Keosauqua, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Chelsea scores 56 while Keosauqua scores 54 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 Chelsea is $681/month compared to $440/month in Keosauqua — a 55% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Keosauqua has cheaper rent, Chelsea actually has lower median home values ($43,100 vs $108,000).

Median household income in Chelsea is $32,188 compared to $52,083 in Keosauqua (-38.2%). Keosauqua offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chelsea spend roughly 25.4% of their income on rent, more than the 10.1% in Keosauqua.