Rock Valley, IA vs Roland, IA

Roland is moderately more affordable than Rock Valley, with a 8.9% lower cost of living index. Rock Valley scores 83 compared to 76 for Roland, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Rock Valley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Rock Valley is $1,070/month compared to $983/month in Roland — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Roland is more affordable at $173,100 median vs $225,800.

Median household income in Rock Valley is $67,012 compared to $84,779 in Roland (-21%). Roland 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 Valley spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Roland.

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