Chelsea, IA vs Pilot Mound, IA

Chelsea, IA and Pilot Mound, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Chelsea scores 56 while Pilot Mound scores 55 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 $556/month in Pilot Mound — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pilot Mound has cheaper rent, Chelsea actually has lower median home values ($43,100 vs $78,800).

Median household income in Chelsea is $32,188 compared to $51,250 in Pilot Mound (-37.2%). Pilot Mound 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 13% in Pilot Mound.