Monticello, IA vs Storm Lake, IA

Monticello is moderately more affordable than Storm Lake, with a 8.2% lower cost of living index. Monticello scores 65 compared to 70 for Storm Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Storm Lake can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Monticello is $659/month compared to $830/month in Storm Lake — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Monticello is more affordable at $160,500 median vs $163,600.

Median household income in Monticello is $67,788 compared to $58,341 in Storm Lake (+16.2%). Monticello offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Monticello spend roughly 11.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17.1% in Storm Lake.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.2°F vs 46.8°F). Monticello receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 26.8" in Storm Lake.