Elma, IA vs Sac City, IA

Elma, IA and Sac City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Elma scores 58 while Sac City 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 $620/month in Sac City — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sac City has cheaper rent, Elma actually has lower median home values ($71,400 vs $106,400).

Median household income in Elma is $41,528 compared to $57,487 in Sac City (-27.8%). While Sac City 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 12.9% in Sac City.