Grinnell, IA vs Marshalltown, IA

Marshalltown is moderately more affordable than Grinnell, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Grinnell scores 75 compared to 68 for Marshalltown, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Grinnell can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Grinnell is $876/month compared to $864/month in Marshalltown — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marshalltown is more affordable at $117,100 median vs $191,700.

Median household income in Grinnell is $64,426 compared to $68,854 in Marshalltown (-6.4%). Marshalltown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Grinnell spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15.1% in Marshalltown.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 47.7°F). Marshalltown receives more rainfall at 32.8" per year compared to 32.8" in Grinnell.