Fort Dodge, IA vs Le Mars, IA

Fort Dodge is moderately more affordable than Le Mars, with a 13.7% lower cost of living index. Fort Dodge scores 66 compared to 76 for Le Mars, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Le Mars can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Dodge is $764/month compared to $908/month in Le Mars — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Dodge is more affordable at $128,900 median vs $202,200.

Median household income in Fort Dodge is $61,769 compared to $72,381 in Le Mars (-14.7%). While Le Mars is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Dodge spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 15.1% in Le Mars.