Earling, IA vs Hillsboro, IA

Earling is moderately more affordable than Hillsboro, with a 6.4% lower cost of living index. Earling scores 64 compared to 68 for Hillsboro, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hillsboro can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Earling is $731/month compared to $1,063/month in Hillsboro — a 31% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Earling has cheaper rent, Hillsboro actually has lower median home values ($47,800 vs $117,600).

Median household income in Earling is $44,375 compared to $43,125 in Hillsboro (+2.9%). Earling offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Earling spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 29.6% in Hillsboro.