Grafton, IL vs Mason City, IL

Mason City is moderately more affordable than Grafton, with a 12.1% lower cost of living index. Grafton scores 73 compared to 65 for Mason City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Grafton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Grafton is $617/month compared to $785/month in Mason City — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grafton has cheaper rent, Mason City actually has lower median home values ($92,200 vs $254,700).

Median household income in Grafton is $93,250 compared to $64,250 in Mason City (+45.1%). While Grafton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grafton spend roughly 7.9% of their income on rent, less than the 14.7% in Mason City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.1°F vs 54°F). Grafton receives more rainfall at 39.4" per year compared to 38" in Mason City.