Cresco, IA vs Spencer, IA

Cresco is moderately more affordable than Spencer, with a 7.7% lower cost of living index. Cresco scores 65 compared to 71 for Spencer, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Spencer can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Cresco is $814/month compared to $795/month in Spencer — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Spencer has cheaper rent, Cresco actually has lower median home values ($105,200 vs $178,300).

Median household income in Cresco is $60,769 compared to $57,068 in Spencer (+6.5%). Cresco offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cresco spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in Spencer.