Oelwein, IA vs Pleasant Hill, IA

The cost of living difference between Oelwein, IA and Pleasant Hill, IA is dramatic. Oelwein is 31.9% cheaper than Pleasant Hill, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oelwein has a cost index of 63 while Pleasant Hill sits at 92, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Oelwein is $762/month compared to $1,204/month in Pleasant Hill — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oelwein is more affordable at $96,800 median vs $284,100.

Median household income in Oelwein is $49,821 compared to $86,890 in Pleasant Hill (-42.7%). While Pleasant Hill is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Oelwein spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, more than the 16.6% in Pleasant Hill.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49°F vs 50.9°F). Pleasant Hill receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 36.3" in Oelwein.