Ida Grove, IA vs McGregor, IA

Ida Grove, IA and McGregor, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Ida Grove scores 60 while McGregor scores 62 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 Ida Grove is $671/month compared to $618/month in McGregor — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while McGregor has cheaper rent, Ida Grove actually has lower median home values ($96,000 vs $141,900).

Median household income in Ida Grove is $63,194 compared to $58,750 in McGregor (+7.6%). Ida Grove offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ida Grove spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in McGregor.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.4°F vs 48.1°F). McGregor receives more rainfall at 33.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Ida Grove.