Mason City, IA vs Spencer, IA

Mason City, IA and Spencer, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Mason City scores 69 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 Mason City is $874/month compared to $795/month in Spencer — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Spencer has cheaper rent, Mason City actually has lower median home values ($130,000 vs $178,300).

Median household income in Mason City is $62,369 compared to $57,068 in Spencer (+9.3%). Mason City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mason City spend roughly 16.8% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Spencer.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.6°F vs 46.8°F). Mason City receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 26.8" in Spencer.