Grimes, IA vs Knoxville, IA

The cost of living difference between Grimes, IA and Knoxville, IA is dramatic. Knoxville is 32.2% cheaper than Grimes, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Grimes has a cost index of 91 while Knoxville sits at 68, 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 Grimes is $1,156/month compared to $810/month in Knoxville — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Knoxville is more affordable at $147,600 median vs $281,000.

Median household income in Grimes is $104,497 compared to $70,136 in Knoxville (+49%). While Grimes is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grimes spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, less than the 13.9% in Knoxville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 49.5°F). Knoxville receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 36.6" in Grimes.