Ashton, IA vs Lenox, IA

Ashton, IA and Lenox, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Ashton scores 66 while Lenox scores 64 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 Ashton is $892/month compared to $759/month in Lenox — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lenox has cheaper rent, Ashton actually has lower median home values ($85,400 vs $106,000).

Median household income in Ashton is $60,156 compared to $59,750 in Lenox (+0.7%). Ashton does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashton spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in Lenox.