Parnell, IA vs Rome, IA

Parnell, IA and Rome, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Parnell scores 71 while Rome scores 68 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 Parnell is $950/month compared to $1,021/month in Rome — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Parnell has cheaper rent, Rome actually has lower median home values ($61,300 vs $118,800).

Median household income in Parnell is $56,667 compared to $29,531 in Rome (+91.9%). While Parnell is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Parnell spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, less than the 41.5% in Rome. The Parnell ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 51.9°F). Rome receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 35.7" in Parnell.