Denver, IA vs Shellsburg, IA

Denver, IA and Shellsburg, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Denver scores 73 while Shellsburg scores 75 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 Denver is $788/month compared to $928/month in Shellsburg — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Denver has cheaper rent, Shellsburg actually has lower median home values ($184,100 vs $221,100).

Median household income in Denver is $90,156 compared to $69,750 in Shellsburg (+29.3%). Denver offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Denver spend roughly 10.5% of their income on rent, less than the 16% in Shellsburg.