Le Mars, IA vs Mount Vernon, IA

Le Mars, IA and Mount Vernon, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Le Mars scores 76 while Mount Vernon scores 77 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 Le Mars is $908/month compared to $802/month in Mount Vernon — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Vernon has cheaper rent, Le Mars actually has lower median home values ($202,200 vs $256,900).

Median household income in Le Mars is $72,381 compared to $106,356 in Mount Vernon (-31.9%). While Mount Vernon is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Le Mars spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, more than the 9% in Mount Vernon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.4°F vs 48.3°F). Mount Vernon receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Le Mars.