Laurel, IA vs Olds, IA

Laurel is moderately more affordable than Olds, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Laurel scores 63 compared to 66 for Olds, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Olds can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Laurel is $713/month compared to $770/month in Olds — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Laurel is more affordable at $104,300 median vs $137,500.

Median household income in Laurel is $59,167 compared to $48,500 in Olds (+22%). Laurel offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Laurel spend roughly 14.5% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Olds.

Climate-wise, Olds is notably warmer with an average of 51.9°F compared to 47.7°F in Laurel. Olds receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 32.8" in Laurel.