Ellsworth, IA vs Garden Grove, IA

The cost of living difference between Ellsworth, IA and Garden Grove, IA is dramatic. Garden Grove is 35.1% cheaper than Ellsworth, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ellsworth has a cost index of 70 while Garden Grove sits at 52, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Ellsworth is $931/month compared to $535/month in Garden Grove — a 74% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Garden Grove is more affordable at $48,600 median vs $125,000.

Median household income in Ellsworth is $73,021 compared to $53,750 in Garden Grove (+35.9%). While Ellsworth is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellsworth spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, more than the 11.9% in Garden Grove.