Forest City, IA vs Shell Rock, IA

Forest City, IA and Shell Rock, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Forest City scores 65 while Shell Rock scores 67 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 Forest City is $719/month compared to $750/month in Shell Rock — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Forest City is more affordable at $136,400 median vs $159,100.

Median household income in Forest City is $62,917 compared to $70,556 in Shell Rock (-10.8%). While Shell Rock is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Forest City spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Shell Rock.