Orleans, IA vs Rake, IA

The cost of living difference between Orleans, IA and Rake, IA is dramatic. Rake is 66.7% cheaper than Orleans, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Orleans has a cost index of 98 while Rake sits at 59, 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 Orleans is $961/month compared to $792/month in Rake — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rake is more affordable at $34,200 median vs $448,800.

Median household income in Orleans is $66,058 compared to $41,071 in Rake (+60.8%). The higher salaries in Orleans partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Orleans spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in Rake.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.6°F vs 45.6°F). Rake receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 29.3" in Orleans.