Independence, IA vs Toledo, IA

Independence, IA and Toledo, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Independence scores 68 while Toledo 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 Independence is $769/month compared to $958/month in Toledo — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Independence has cheaper rent, Toledo actually has lower median home values ($124,000 vs $156,900).

Median household income in Independence is $72,250 compared to $56,719 in Toledo (+27.4%). Independence offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Independence spend roughly 12.8% of their income on rent, less than the 20.3% in Toledo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49°F vs 47.7°F). Independence receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 32.8" in Toledo.