Estherville, IA vs Indianola, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Estherville is 22.8% cheaper than Indianola. With a cost index of 62 vs 80, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Estherville to Indianola should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Estherville is $739/month compared to $966/month in Indianola — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Estherville is more affordable at $96,300 median vs $228,100.

Median household income in Estherville is $54,624 compared to $78,125 in Indianola (-30.1%). While Indianola is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Estherville spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, more than the 14.8% in Indianola.