Chelsea, IA vs Villisca, IA

Chelsea is moderately more affordable than Villisca, with a 6.8% lower cost of living index. Chelsea scores 56 compared to 60 for Villisca, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Villisca can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chelsea is $681/month compared to $732/month in Villisca — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chelsea is more affordable at $43,100 median vs $74,100.

Median household income in Chelsea is $32,188 compared to $58,469 in Villisca (-44.9%). While Villisca 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 15% in Villisca.