Grundy Center, IA vs Mapleton, IA

Grundy Center, IA and Mapleton, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Grundy Center scores 66 while Mapleton scores 64 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 Grundy Center is $684/month compared to $780/month in Mapleton — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grundy Center has cheaper rent, Mapleton actually has lower median home values ($116,400 vs $173,200).

Median household income in Grundy Center is $77,540 compared to $52,955 in Mapleton (+46.4%). While Grundy Center is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grundy Center spend roughly 10.6% of their income on rent, less than the 17.7% in Mapleton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 48.4°F). Grundy Center receives more rainfall at 32.8" per year compared to 29.3" in Mapleton.