Elgin, IA vs Rhodes, IA

Rhodes is moderately more affordable than Elgin, with a 9.6% lower cost of living index. Elgin scores 58 compared to 53 for Rhodes, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elgin can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elgin is $634/month compared to $436/month in Rhodes — a 45% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rhodes has cheaper rent, Elgin actually has lower median home values ($87,300 vs $90,500).

Median household income in Elgin is $60,114 compared to $71,029 in Rhodes (-15.4%). Rhodes offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elgin spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, more than the 7.4% in Rhodes.