Red Oak, IA vs Storm Lake, IA

Red Oak is moderately more affordable than Storm Lake, with a 10.3% lower cost of living index. Red Oak scores 63 compared to 70 for Storm Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Storm Lake 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 $830/month in Storm Lake — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Oak is more affordable at $91,600 median vs $163,600.

Median household income in Red Oak is $52,996 compared to $58,341 in Storm Lake (-9.2%). The higher salaries in Storm Lake 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 17.1% in Storm Lake.

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