Grinnell, IA vs New Hampton, IA

New Hampton is moderately more affordable than Grinnell, with a 6.4% lower cost of living index. Grinnell scores 75 compared to 70 for New Hampton, 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 $838/month in New Hampton — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Hampton is more affordable at $159,200 median vs $191,700.

Median household income in Grinnell is $64,426 compared to $61,491 in New Hampton (+4.8%). The higher salaries in Grinnell partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Grinnell spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16.4% in New Hampton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 49°F). New Hampton receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 32.8" in Grinnell.