Humboldt, IA vs Shell Rock, IA

Humboldt, IA and Shell Rock, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Humboldt scores 67 while Shell Rock scores 67 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 $750/month in Shell Rock — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Humboldt has cheaper rent, Shell Rock actually has lower median home values ($159,100 vs $162,600).

Median household income in Humboldt is $70,661 compared to $70,556 in Shell Rock (+0.1%). Humboldt 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 Humboldt spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, less than the 12.8% in Shell Rock.

Climate-wise, Shell Rock is notably warmer with an average of 49°F compared to 44.6°F in Humboldt. Shell Rock receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 29.3" in Humboldt.