Arcadia, IA vs West Union, IA

Arcadia, IA and West Union, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Arcadia scores 68 while West Union scores 71 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 Arcadia is $816/month compared to $925/month in West Union — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Arcadia has cheaper rent, West Union actually has lower median home values ($133,200 vs $139,500).

Median household income in Arcadia is $69,408 compared to $50,909 in West Union (+36.3%). Arcadia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Arcadia spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in West Union.