Clarinda, IA vs Ida Grove, IA

Clarinda, IA and Ida Grove, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Clarinda scores 61 while Ida Grove scores 60 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 Clarinda is $653/month compared to $671/month in Ida Grove — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Clarinda has cheaper rent, Ida Grove actually has lower median home values ($96,000 vs $112,200).

Median household income in Clarinda is $50,644 compared to $63,194 in Ida Grove (-19.9%). Ida Grove offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Clarinda spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, more than the 12.7% in Ida Grove.