Grinnell, IA vs West Burlington, IA

West Burlington is moderately more affordable than Grinnell, with a 13.5% lower cost of living index. Grinnell scores 75 compared to 66 for West Burlington, 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 $780/month in West Burlington — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Burlington is more affordable at $126,700 median vs $191,700.

Median household income in Grinnell is $64,426 compared to $48,289 in West Burlington (+33.4%). 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, less than the 19.4% in West Burlington.

Climate-wise, West Burlington is notably warmer with an average of 51.9°F compared to 47.7°F in Grinnell. West Burlington receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 32.8" in Grinnell.