Bayard, IA vs New Sharon, IA

New Sharon is moderately more affordable than Bayard, with a 9.9% lower cost of living index. Bayard scores 65 compared to 59 for New Sharon, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Bayard can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bayard is $917/month compared to $564/month in New Sharon — a 63% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Sharon has cheaper rent, Bayard actually has lower median home values ($57,700 vs $125,000).

Median household income in Bayard is $43,750 compared to $60,000 in New Sharon (-27.1%). New Sharon offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bayard spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, more than the 11.3% in New Sharon.