Eagle Grove, IA vs Elkader, IA

Eagle Grove, IA and Elkader, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Eagle Grove scores 70 while Elkader scores 69 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 Eagle Grove is $991/month compared to $851/month in Elkader — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elkader has cheaper rent, Eagle Grove actually has lower median home values ($95,100 vs $134,300).

Median household income in Eagle Grove is $58,458 compared to $61,786 in Elkader (-5.4%). Elkader offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Eagle Grove spend roughly 20.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16.5% in Elkader.