Eldridge, IA vs Indianola, IA

Eldridge, IA and Indianola, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Eldridge scores 84 while Indianola scores 80 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 Eldridge is $845/month compared to $966/month in Indianola — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Eldridge has cheaper rent, Indianola actually has lower median home values ($228,100 vs $329,400).

Median household income in Eldridge is $101,089 compared to $78,125 in Indianola (+29.4%). While Eldridge is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Eldridge spend roughly 10% of their income on rent, less than the 14.8% in Indianola.