Elgin, IA vs Fenton, IA

Elgin, IA and Fenton, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Elgin scores 58 while Fenton scores 58 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 Elgin is $634/month compared to $710/month in Fenton — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elgin has cheaper rent, Fenton actually has lower median home values ($52,400 vs $87,300).

Median household income in Elgin is $60,114 compared to $53,125 in Fenton (+13.2%). While Elgin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elgin spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, less than the 16% in Fenton.