Le Mars, IA vs Rock Valley, IA

Le Mars is moderately more affordable than Rock Valley, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Le Mars scores 76 compared to 83 for Rock Valley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Rock Valley 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 $1,070/month in Rock Valley — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Le Mars is more affordable at $202,200 median vs $225,800.

Median household income in Le Mars is $72,381 compared to $67,012 in Rock Valley (+8%). Le Mars offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Le Mars spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, less than the 19.2% in Rock Valley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.4°F vs 47.4°F). Le Mars receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 27.8" in Rock Valley.