Lake Mills, IA vs Stratford, IA

Stratford is moderately more affordable than Lake Mills, with a 8.2% lower cost of living index. Lake Mills scores 61 compared to 56 for Stratford, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lake Mills 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 $580/month in Stratford — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stratford is more affordable at $81,100 median vs $127,100.

Median household income in Lake Mills is $70,333 compared to $40,833 in Stratford (+72.2%). While Lake Mills 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, less than the 17% in Stratford.

Climate-wise, Stratford 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 Stratford.