Grimes, IA vs Red Oak, IA

The cost of living difference between Grimes, IA and Red Oak, IA is dramatic. Red Oak is 43.4% cheaper than Grimes, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Grimes has a cost index of 91 while Red Oak sits at 63, 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 $768/month in Red Oak — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Oak is more affordable at $91,600 median vs $281,000.

Median household income in Grimes is $104,497 compared to $52,996 in Red Oak (+97.2%). 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 17.4% in Red Oak.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 52.4°F). Grimes receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 31.9" in Red Oak.