Gladbrook, IA vs Marengo, IA

Marengo is moderately more affordable than Gladbrook, with a 5% lower cost of living index. Gladbrook scores 66 compared to 63 for Marengo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Gladbrook can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Gladbrook is $807/month compared to $722/month in Marengo — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marengo is more affordable at $114,100 median vs $117,200.

Median household income in Gladbrook is $63,125 compared to $58,125 in Marengo (+8.6%). While Gladbrook is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gladbrook spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Marengo.