Rock Rapids, IA vs Washington, IA

Rock Rapids, IA and Washington, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Rock Rapids scores 72 while Washington 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 Rock Rapids is $763/month compared to $927/month in Washington — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rock Rapids has cheaper rent, Washington actually has lower median home values ($144,500 vs $207,700).

Median household income in Rock Rapids is $61,679 compared to $56,536 in Washington (+9.1%). Rock Rapids offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Rock Rapids spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in Washington.

Climate-wise, Washington is notably warmer with an average of 51°F compared to 47.4°F in Rock Rapids. Washington receives more rainfall at 35.7" per year compared to 27.8" in Rock Rapids.