Ellsworth, IA vs Sanborn, IA

Ellsworth, IA and Sanborn, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Ellsworth scores 70 while Sanborn scores 71 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 Ellsworth is $931/month compared to $881/month in Sanborn — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sanborn has cheaper rent, Ellsworth actually has lower median home values ($125,000 vs $150,900).

Median household income in Ellsworth is $73,021 compared to $56,477 in Sanborn (+29.3%). Ellsworth offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellsworth spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.7% in Sanborn.