Eldora, IA vs Essex, IA

Eldora, IA and Essex, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Eldora scores 62 while Essex scores 60 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 Eldora is $735/month compared to $681/month in Essex — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Essex is more affordable at $87,700 median vs $108,800.

Median household income in Eldora is $72,107 compared to $57,344 in Essex (+25.7%). While Eldora is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Eldora spend roughly 12.2% of their income on rent, less than the 14.3% in Essex.