Marshalltown, IA vs Spencer, IA

Marshalltown, IA and Spencer, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Marshalltown scores 68 while Spencer scores 71 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 Marshalltown is $864/month compared to $795/month in Spencer — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Spencer has cheaper rent, Marshalltown actually has lower median home values ($117,100 vs $178,300).

Median household income in Marshalltown is $68,854 compared to $57,068 in Spencer (+20.7%). Marshalltown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Marshalltown spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in Spencer.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 46.8°F). Marshalltown receives more rainfall at 32.8" per year compared to 26.8" in Spencer.