Barnum, IA vs Sioux Rapids, IA

Barnum, IA and Sioux Rapids, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Barnum scores 58 while Sioux Rapids 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 Barnum is $495/month compared to $641/month in Sioux Rapids — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Barnum has cheaper rent, Sioux Rapids actually has lower median home values ($84,400 vs $132,500).

Median household income in Barnum is $83,580 compared to $56,307 in Sioux Rapids (+48.4%). Barnum offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Barnum spend roughly 7.1% of their income on rent, less than the 13.7% in Sioux Rapids.