Auburn, IA vs Stanhope, IA

Auburn, IA and Stanhope, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 60 while Stanhope scores 58 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 Auburn is $688/month compared to $564/month in Stanhope — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Stanhope has cheaper rent, Auburn actually has lower median home values ($93,300 vs $106,400).

Median household income in Auburn is $57,500 compared to $64,479 in Stanhope (-10.8%). Stanhope offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Stanhope.