Dundee, IA vs St. Olaf, IA

Dundee, IA and St. Olaf, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Dundee scores 63 while St. Olaf scores 62 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 Dundee is $672/month compared to $775/month in St. Olaf — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dundee has cheaper rent, St. Olaf actually has lower median home values ($76,700 vs $131,300).

Median household income in Dundee is $57,143 compared to $88,750 in St. Olaf (-35.6%). St. Olaf offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dundee spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in St. Olaf.