Ida Grove, IA vs Murray, IA

Ida Grove, IA and Murray, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Ida Grove scores 60 while Murray 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 $782/month in Murray — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ida Grove has cheaper rent, Murray actually has lower median home values ($76,300 vs $96,000).

Median household income in Ida Grove is $63,194 compared to $60,313 in Murray (+4.8%). 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, less than the 15.6% in Murray.

Climate-wise, Murray is notably warmer with an average of 51.6°F compared to 48.4°F in Ida Grove. Murray receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 29.3" in Ida Grove.