Gilman, IA vs Wadena, IA

Gilman, IA and Wadena, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Gilman scores 59 while Wadena scores 57 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 Gilman is $650/month compared to $594/month in Wadena — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wadena has cheaper rent, Gilman actually has lower median home values ($81,900 vs $89,300).

Median household income in Gilman is $96,974 compared to $48,438 in Wadena (+100.2%). While Gilman is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilman spend roughly 8% of their income on rent, less than the 14.7% in Wadena.