Grinnell, IA vs Mason City, IA

Mason City is moderately more affordable than Grinnell, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Grinnell scores 75 compared to 69 for Mason City, 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 $874/month in Mason City — a 0% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mason City is more affordable at $130,000 median vs $191,700.

Median household income in Grinnell is $64,426 compared to $62,369 in Mason City (+3.3%). Grinnell does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Grinnell spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16.8% in Mason City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 45.6°F). Mason City receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 32.8" in Grinnell.