Johnston, IA vs Storm Lake, IA

The cost of living difference between Johnston, IA and Storm Lake, IA is dramatic. Storm Lake is 41.9% cheaper than Johnston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Johnston has a cost index of 100 while Storm Lake sits at 70, 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 $830/month in Storm Lake — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Storm Lake is more affordable at $163,600 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Johnston is $103,430 compared to $58,341 in Storm Lake (+77.3%). 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 17.1% in Storm Lake.

Climate-wise, Johnston is notably warmer with an average of 50.9°F compared to 46.8°F in Storm Lake. Johnston receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 26.8" in Storm Lake.