Emmetsburg, IA vs Pleasant Hill, IA

The cost of living difference between Emmetsburg, IA and Pleasant Hill, IA is dramatic. Emmetsburg is 36% cheaper than Pleasant Hill, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Emmetsburg has a cost index of 59 while Pleasant Hill sits at 92, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Emmetsburg is $589/month compared to $1,204/month in Pleasant Hill — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Emmetsburg is more affordable at $114,600 median vs $284,100.

Median household income in Emmetsburg is $57,353 compared to $86,890 in Pleasant Hill (-34%). The higher salaries in Pleasant Hill partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Emmetsburg spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16.6% in Pleasant Hill.