Ralston, IA vs St. Lucas, IA

Ralston, IA and St. Lucas, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Ralston scores 79 while St. Lucas scores 81 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.

When it comes to buying, median home values in Ralston are $86,700 compared to $112,500 in St. Lucas, a 23% gap.

Median household income in Ralston is $67,500 compared to $75,000 in St. Lucas (-10%). While St. Lucas is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.6°F vs 49°F). St. Lucas receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 35.9" in Ralston.