Grinnell, IA vs Story City, IA

Grinnell, IA and Story City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Grinnell scores 75 while Story City scores 78 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 $956/month in Story City — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Grinnell is more affordable at $191,700 median vs $205,800.

Median household income in Grinnell is $64,426 compared to $73,558 in Story City (-12.4%). While Story City 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 15.6% in Story City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 48.6°F). Story City receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 32.8" in Grinnell.