Le Mars, IA vs Marshalltown, IA

Marshalltown is moderately more affordable than Le Mars, with a 12.3% lower cost of living index. Le Mars scores 76 compared to 68 for Marshalltown, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Le Mars can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Le Mars is $908/month compared to $864/month in Marshalltown — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marshalltown is more affordable at $117,100 median vs $202,200.

Median household income in Le Mars is $72,381 compared to $68,854 in Marshalltown (+5.1%). Le Mars 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 Le Mars spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, less than the 15.1% in Marshalltown.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.4°F vs 47.7°F). Marshalltown receives more rainfall at 32.8" per year compared to 29.3" in Le Mars.