Hills, IA vs Lacona, IA

The cost of living difference between Hills, IA and Lacona, IA is dramatic. Lacona is 33.4% cheaper than Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hills has a cost index of 86 while Lacona sits at 64, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hills is $1,179/month compared to $800/month in Lacona — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lacona is more affordable at $92,500 median vs $217,800.

Median household income in Hills is $81,875 compared to $70,647 in Lacona (+15.9%). Hills does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hills spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13.6% in Lacona.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 49.5°F). Lacona receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 35.7" in Hills.