George, IA vs Salem, IA

George, IA and Salem, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. George scores 64 while Salem scores 64 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 $850/month in Salem — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while George has cheaper rent, Salem actually has lower median home values ($75,000 vs $112,500).

Median household income in George is $59,167 compared to $59,583 in Salem (-0.7%). Salem offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of George spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 17.1% in Salem.