Ely, IA vs Lakeside, IA

Lakeside is moderately more affordable than Ely, with a 8.5% lower cost of living index. Ely scores 85 compared to 78 for Lakeside, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ely can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ely is $1,014/month compared to $960/month in Lakeside — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakeside is more affordable at $210,900 median vs $275,800.

Median household income in Ely is $102,262 compared to $95,481 in Lakeside (+7.1%). The higher salaries in Ely partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ely spend roughly 11.9% of their income on rent, less than the 12.1% in Lakeside.