Creston, IA vs Marengo, IA

Creston, IA and Marengo, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Creston scores 61 while Marengo scores 63 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 Creston is $672/month compared to $722/month in Marengo — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Creston is more affordable at $112,600 median vs $114,100.

Median household income in Creston is $50,752 compared to $58,125 in Marengo (-12.7%). While Marengo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Creston spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Marengo.