Chester, IA vs Massena, IA

Chester, IA and Massena, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Chester scores 56 while Massena scores 57 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 Chester is $513/month compared to $584/month in Massena — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chester has cheaper rent, Massena actually has lower median home values ($96,900 vs $101,800).

Median household income in Chester is $57,500 compared to $61,250 in Massena (-6.1%). While Massena is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 10.7% of their income on rent, less than the 11.4% in Massena.