Dows, IA vs Guthrie Center, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Dows is 16.5% cheaper than Guthrie Center. With a cost index of 56 vs 68, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Dows to Guthrie Center should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Dows is $658/month compared to $839/month in Guthrie Center — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dows is more affordable at $56,200 median vs $117,100.

Median household income in Dows is $58,750 compared to $67,679 in Guthrie Center (-13.2%). The higher salaries in Guthrie Center partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Dows spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 14.9% in Guthrie Center.