Collins, IA vs Van Meter, IA

Collins is moderately more affordable than Van Meter, with a 14.9% lower cost of living index. Collins scores 70 compared to 82 for Van Meter, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Van Meter can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Collins is $883/month compared to $947/month in Van Meter — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Collins is more affordable at $130,700 median vs $250,300.

Median household income in Collins is $67,292 compared to $133,750 in Van Meter (-49.7%). While Van Meter is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Collins spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, more than the 8.5% in Van Meter.