Emerson, IA vs Guthrie Center, IA

Emerson, IA and Guthrie Center, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Emerson scores 69 while Guthrie Center scores 68 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 Emerson is $913/month compared to $839/month in Guthrie Center — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Guthrie Center has cheaper rent, Emerson actually has lower median home values ($113,600 vs $117,100).

Median household income in Emerson is $47,426 compared to $67,679 in Guthrie Center (-29.9%). Guthrie Center offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Emerson spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Guthrie Center.