Hills, IA vs Rockwell City, IA

The cost of living difference between Hills, IA and Rockwell City, IA is dramatic. Rockwell City is 35.1% cheaper than Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hills has a cost index of 86 while Rockwell City sits at 63, 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 $797/month in Rockwell City — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rockwell City is more affordable at $91,300 median vs $217,800.

Median household income in Hills is $81,875 compared to $61,563 in Rockwell City (+33%). The higher salaries in Hills partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hills spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Rockwell City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 48.6°F). Rockwell City receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 35.7" in Hills.