George, IA vs Marengo, IA

George, IA and Marengo, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. George scores 64 while Marengo scores 63 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 George is $771/month compared to $722/month in Marengo — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marengo has cheaper rent, George actually has lower median home values ($112,500 vs $114,100).

Median household income in George is $59,167 compared to $58,125 in Marengo (+1.8%). The higher salaries in George partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of George spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Marengo.