Grinnell, IA vs Milford, IA

Grinnell, IA and Milford, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Grinnell scores 75 while Milford scores 74 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Grinnell is $876/month compared to $806/month in Milford — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Milford has cheaper rent, Grinnell actually has lower median home values ($191,700 vs $211,000).

Median household income in Grinnell is $64,426 compared to $60,571 in Milford (+6.4%). While Grinnell is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grinnell spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in Milford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 46.8°F). Grinnell receives more rainfall at 32.8" per year compared to 26.8" in Milford.