Gilbertville, IA vs Lakota, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lakota is 16.1% cheaper than Gilbertville. With a cost index of 61 vs 71, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lakota to Gilbertville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gilbertville is $815/month compared to $850/month in Lakota — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gilbertville has cheaper rent, Lakota actually has lower median home values ($42,300 vs $187,500).

Median household income in Gilbertville is $83,750 compared to $73,250 in Lakota (+14.3%). The higher salaries in Gilbertville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilbertville spend roughly 11.7% of their income on rent, less than the 13.9% in Lakota.