Clear Lake, IA vs Grundy Center, IA

Grundy Center is moderately more affordable than Clear Lake, with a 12.6% lower cost of living index. Clear Lake scores 74 compared to 66 for Grundy Center, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Clear Lake can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Clear Lake is $755/month compared to $684/month in Grundy Center — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Grundy Center is more affordable at $173,200 median vs $235,100.

Median household income in Clear Lake is $70,278 compared to $77,540 in Grundy Center (-9.4%). Grundy Center offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Clear Lake spend roughly 12.9% of their income on rent, more than the 10.6% in Grundy Center.