Grimes, IA vs Perry, IA

The cost of living difference between Grimes, IA and Perry, IA is dramatic. Perry is 31.1% cheaper than Grimes, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Grimes has a cost index of 91 while Perry sits at 69, 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 $877/month in Perry — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Perry is more affordable at $122,100 median vs $281,000.

Median household income in Grimes is $104,497 compared to $63,983 in Perry (+63.3%). 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 16.4% in Perry.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 48.6°F). Grimes receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 35.9" in Perry.