Perry, IA vs Rock Rapids, IA

Perry, IA and Rock Rapids, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Perry scores 69 while Rock Rapids scores 72 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 Perry is $877/month compared to $763/month in Rock Rapids — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rock Rapids has cheaper rent, Perry actually has lower median home values ($122,100 vs $207,700).

Median household income in Perry is $63,983 compared to $61,679 in Rock Rapids (+3.7%). Perry offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Perry spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, more than the 14.8% in Rock Rapids.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.6°F vs 47.4°F). Perry receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 27.8" in Rock Rapids.