Humboldt, IA vs Spencer, IA

Humboldt, IA and Spencer, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Humboldt scores 67 while Spencer scores 71 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 $795/month in Spencer — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Humboldt is more affordable at $162,600 median vs $178,300.

Median household income in Humboldt is $70,661 compared to $57,068 in Spencer (+23.8%). Humboldt offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Humboldt spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in Spencer.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.6°F vs 46.8°F). Humboldt receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 26.8" in Spencer.