Essex, IA vs Patterson, IA

Essex, IA and Patterson, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Essex scores 60 while Patterson scores 62 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 Essex is $681/month compared to $700/month in Patterson — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Essex is more affordable at $87,700 median vs $106,600.

Median household income in Essex is $57,344 compared to $71,786 in Patterson (-20.1%). While Patterson is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Essex spend roughly 14.3% of their income on rent, more than the 11.7% in Patterson.