Lake Mills, IA vs Osceola, IA

Lake Mills is moderately more affordable than Osceola, with a 11.7% lower cost of living index. Lake Mills scores 61 compared to 69 for Osceola, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Osceola can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lake Mills is $615/month compared to $832/month in Osceola — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake Mills is more affordable at $127,100 median vs $145,300.

Median household income in Lake Mills is $70,333 compared to $62,363 in Osceola (+12.8%). Lake Mills 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 Mills spend roughly 10.5% of their income on rent, less than the 16% in Osceola.

Climate-wise, Osceola is notably warmer with an average of 51.6°F compared to 45.6°F in Lake Mills. Osceola receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 36.3" in Lake Mills.