Iowa Falls, IA vs Mount Ayr, IA

Iowa Falls, IA and Mount Ayr, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Iowa Falls scores 68 while Mount Ayr scores 65 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 Iowa Falls is $898/month compared to $694/month in Mount Ayr — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Ayr has cheaper rent, Iowa Falls actually has lower median home values ($106,300 vs $144,500).

Median household income in Iowa Falls is $53,051 compared to $68,676 in Mount Ayr (-22.8%). Mount Ayr offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Iowa Falls spend roughly 20.3% of their income on rent, more than the 12.1% in Mount Ayr.

Climate-wise, Mount Ayr is notably warmer with an average of 51.6°F compared to 47.7°F in Iowa Falls. Mount Ayr receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 32.8" in Iowa Falls.