Lamoni, IA vs Red Oak, IA

Lamoni, IA and Red Oak, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Lamoni scores 61 while Red Oak scores 63 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 Lamoni is $676/month compared to $768/month in Red Oak — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lamoni has cheaper rent, Red Oak actually has lower median home values ($91,600 vs $107,900).

Median household income in Lamoni is $52,300 compared to $52,996 in Red Oak (-1.3%). Red Oak does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Lamoni spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Red Oak.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.6°F vs 52.4°F). Lamoni receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 31.9" in Red Oak.