Lake Mills, IA vs Polk City, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lake Mills is 29.7% cheaper than Polk City. With a cost index of 61 vs 87, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lake Mills to Polk City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lake Mills is $615/month compared to $746/month in Polk City — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake Mills is more affordable at $127,100 median vs $385,000.

Median household income in Lake Mills is $70,333 compared to $163,000 in Polk City (-56.9%). While Polk City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Mills spend roughly 10.5% of their income on rent, more than the 5.5% in Polk City.

Climate-wise, Polk City is notably warmer with an average of 48.6°F compared to 45.6°F in Lake Mills. Lake Mills receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 35.9" in Polk City.