Lake City, IA vs Shenandoah, IA

Lake City, IA and Shenandoah, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Lake City scores 63 while Shenandoah scores 64 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 Lake City is $761/month compared to $762/month in Shenandoah — a 0% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake City is more affordable at $103,300 median vs $110,000.

Median household income in Lake City is $64,375 compared to $52,469 in Shenandoah (+22.7%). Lake City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake City spend roughly 14.2% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Shenandoah.

Climate-wise, Shenandoah is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 48.6°F in Lake City. Lake City receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 31.9" in Shenandoah.