Gilbertville, IA vs Monroe, IA

Gilbertville, IA and Monroe, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Gilbertville scores 71 while Monroe scores 70 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 Gilbertville is $815/month compared to $780/month in Monroe — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Monroe is more affordable at $173,500 median vs $187,500.

Median household income in Gilbertville is $83,750 compared to $81,488 in Monroe (+2.8%). While Gilbertville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilbertville spend roughly 11.7% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Monroe.