Gladbrook, IA vs Grundy Center, IA

Gladbrook, IA and Grundy Center, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Gladbrook scores 66 while Grundy Center scores 66 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 Gladbrook is $807/month compared to $684/month in Grundy Center — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grundy Center has cheaper rent, Gladbrook actually has lower median home values ($117,200 vs $173,200).

Median household income in Gladbrook is $63,125 compared to $77,540 in Grundy Center (-18.6%). Grundy Center offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gladbrook spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, more than the 10.6% in Grundy Center.