Johnston, IA vs Mount Pleasant, IA

The cost of living difference between Johnston, IA and Mount Pleasant, IA is dramatic. Mount Pleasant is 47.9% cheaper than Johnston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Johnston has a cost index of 100 while Mount Pleasant sits at 68, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Johnston is $1,288/month compared to $773/month in Mount Pleasant — a 67% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mount Pleasant is more affordable at $145,600 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Johnston is $103,430 compared to $59,216 in Mount Pleasant (+74.7%). While Johnston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Johnston spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, less than the 15.7% in Mount Pleasant.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 51.9°F). Mount Pleasant receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 36.6" in Johnston.