Cushing, IA vs Elma, IA

Cushing, IA and Elma, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Cushing scores 58 while Elma scores 58 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 Cushing is $725/month compared to $668/month in Elma — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elma has cheaper rent, Cushing actually has lower median home values ($57,700 vs $71,400).

Median household income in Cushing is $70,139 compared to $41,528 in Elma (+68.9%). Cushing offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cushing spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, less than the 19.3% in Elma.