Cresco, IA vs Storm Lake, IA

Cresco is moderately more affordable than Storm Lake, with a 7.5% lower cost of living index. Cresco scores 65 compared to 70 for Storm Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Storm Lake 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 $830/month in Storm Lake — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cresco is more affordable at $105,200 median vs $163,600.

Median household income in Cresco is $60,769 compared to $58,341 in Storm Lake (+4.2%). 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 17.1% in Storm Lake.