Gilbert, IA vs Story City, IA

Gilbert, IA and Story City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Gilbert scores 81 while Story City scores 78 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 Gilbert is $887/month compared to $956/month in Story City — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gilbert has cheaper rent, Story City actually has lower median home values ($205,800 vs $267,200).

Median household income in Gilbert is $112,250 compared to $73,558 in Story City (+52.6%). While Gilbert is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilbert spend roughly 9.5% of their income on rent, less than the 15.6% in Story City.