Red Oak, IA vs Spencer, IA

Red Oak is moderately more affordable than Spencer, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Red Oak scores 63 compared to 71 for Spencer, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Spencer can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Red Oak is $768/month compared to $795/month in Spencer — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Oak is more affordable at $91,600 median vs $178,300.

Median household income in Red Oak is $52,996 compared to $57,068 in Spencer (-7.1%). The higher salaries in Spencer partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Red Oak spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Spencer.

Climate-wise, Red Oak is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 46.8°F in Spencer. Red Oak receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 26.8" in Spencer.