Afton, IA vs Onawa, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Afton is 21.3% cheaper than Onawa. With a cost index of 57 vs 73, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Afton to Onawa should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Afton is $564/month compared to $1,005/month in Onawa — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Afton is more affordable at $99,700 median vs $125,700.

Median household income in Afton is $57,232 compared to $54,659 in Onawa (+4.7%). Afton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Afton spend roughly 11.8% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Onawa.