Knoxville, IA vs Spencer, IA

Knoxville, IA and Spencer, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Knoxville scores 68 while Spencer 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 Knoxville is $810/month compared to $795/month in Spencer — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Spencer has cheaper rent, Knoxville actually has lower median home values ($147,600 vs $178,300).

Median household income in Knoxville is $70,136 compared to $57,068 in Spencer (+22.9%). Knoxville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Knoxville spend roughly 13.9% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in Spencer.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.5°F vs 46.8°F). Knoxville receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 26.8" in Spencer.