Forest City, IA vs Wellman, IA

Forest City, IA and Wellman, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Forest City scores 65 while Wellman scores 68 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 $765/month in Wellman — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Forest City is more affordable at $136,400 median vs $149,000.

Median household income in Forest City is $62,917 compared to $56,696 in Wellman (+11%). Forest City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Forest City spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, less than the 16.2% in Wellman.