Humboldt, IA vs Mount Ayr, IA

Humboldt, IA and Mount Ayr, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Humboldt scores 67 while Mount Ayr scores 65 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 Humboldt is $731/month compared to $694/month in Mount Ayr — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mount Ayr is more affordable at $144,500 median vs $162,600.

Median household income in Humboldt is $70,661 compared to $68,676 in Mount Ayr (+2.9%). The higher salaries in Humboldt partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Humboldt spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, more than the 12.1% in Mount Ayr.

Climate-wise, Mount Ayr is notably warmer with an average of 51.6°F compared to 44.6°F in Humboldt. Mount Ayr receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 29.3" in Humboldt.