Monticello, IA vs Nora Springs, IA

Monticello, IA and Nora Springs, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Monticello scores 65 while Nora Springs scores 65 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 Monticello is $659/month compared to $757/month in Nora Springs — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Monticello has cheaper rent, Nora Springs actually has lower median home values ($126,300 vs $160,500).

Median household income in Monticello is $67,788 compared to $72,083 in Nora Springs (-6%). While Nora Springs is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Monticello spend roughly 11.7% of their income on rent, less than the 12.6% in Nora Springs.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.2°F vs 45.6°F). Monticello receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 36.3" in Nora Springs.