Crystal Lake, IA vs Washburn, IA

Crystal Lake is moderately more affordable than Washburn, with a 8.5% lower cost of living index. Crystal Lake scores 64 compared to 70 for Washburn, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Washburn can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Crystal Lake is $830/month compared to $930/month in Washburn — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Crystal Lake is more affordable at $86,000 median vs $133,900.

Median household income in Crystal Lake is $82,500 compared to $75,278 in Washburn (+9.6%). Crystal Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Crystal Lake spend roughly 12.1% of their income on rent, less than the 14.8% in Washburn.