Decorah, IA vs Missouri Valley, IA

Missouri Valley is moderately more affordable than Decorah, with a 11.3% lower cost of living index. Decorah scores 75 compared to 67 for Missouri Valley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Decorah can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Decorah is $788/month compared to $812/month in Missouri Valley — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Decorah has cheaper rent, Missouri Valley actually has lower median home values ($126,500 vs $234,600).

Median household income in Decorah is $62,177 compared to $64,844 in Missouri Valley (-4.1%). Missouri Valley offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Decorah spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Missouri Valley.