Elkader, IA vs Scranton, IA

Scranton is moderately more affordable than Elkader, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Elkader scores 69 compared to 63 for Scranton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elkader can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elkader is $851/month compared to $880/month in Scranton — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elkader has cheaper rent, Scranton actually has lower median home values ($58,600 vs $134,300).

Median household income in Elkader is $61,786 compared to $60,000 in Scranton (+3%). Elkader does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Elkader spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Scranton.