Ashton, IA vs State Center, IA

Ashton, IA and State Center, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Ashton scores 66 while State Center scores 67 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 $741/month in State Center — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while State Center has cheaper rent, Ashton actually has lower median home values ($85,400 vs $156,300).

Median household income in Ashton is $60,156 compared to $72,303 in State Center (-16.8%). While State Center is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashton spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in State Center.