Glenwood, IA vs Leon, IA

The cost of living difference between Glenwood, IA and Leon, IA is dramatic. Leon is 34.7% cheaper than Glenwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Glenwood has a cost index of 74 while Leon sits at 55, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Glenwood is $842/month compared to $542/month in Leon — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Leon is more affordable at $79,600 median vs $193,800.

Median household income in Glenwood is $69,320 compared to $54,868 in Leon (+26.3%). The higher salaries in Glenwood partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Glenwood spend roughly 14.6% of their income on rent, more than the 11.9% in Leon.