Essex, IA vs Kimballton, IA

Essex is moderately more affordable than Kimballton, with a 6.6% lower cost of living index. Essex scores 60 compared to 64 for Kimballton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Kimballton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Essex is $681/month compared to $850/month in Kimballton — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Essex has cheaper rent, Kimballton actually has lower median home values ($77,000 vs $87,700).

Median household income in Essex is $57,344 compared to $39,583 in Kimballton (+44.9%). Essex offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Essex spend roughly 14.3% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Kimballton.