Elma, IA vs Rippey, IA

Elma, IA and Rippey, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Elma scores 58 while Rippey scores 59 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 Elma is $668/month compared to $750/month in Rippey — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elma has cheaper rent, Rippey actually has lower median home values ($55,400 vs $71,400).

Median household income in Elma is $41,528 compared to $65,250 in Rippey (-36.4%). While Rippey is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elma spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13.8% in Rippey.