Gowrie, IA vs Rock Rapids, IA

Gowrie is moderately more affordable than Rock Rapids, with a 12.9% lower cost of living index. Gowrie scores 63 compared to 72 for Rock Rapids, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Rock Rapids can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Gowrie is $753/month compared to $763/month in Rock Rapids — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gowrie is more affordable at $98,400 median vs $207,700.

Median household income in Gowrie is $74,375 compared to $61,679 in Rock Rapids (+20.6%). Gowrie offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gowrie spend roughly 12.1% of their income on rent, less than the 14.8% in Rock Rapids.