Adel, IA vs Sumner, IA

The cost of living difference between Adel, IA and Sumner, IA is dramatic. Sumner is 45.1% cheaper than Adel, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Adel has a cost index of 84 while Sumner sits at 58, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Adel is $842/month compared to $598/month in Sumner — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sumner is more affordable at $111,900 median vs $320,500.

Median household income in Adel is $96,905 compared to $56,174 in Sumner (+72.5%). While Adel is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Adel spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 12.8% in Sumner.