Beacon, IA vs Washta, IA

Washta is moderately more affordable than Beacon, with a 12.7% lower cost of living index. Beacon scores 60 compared to 53 for Washta, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Beacon can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Beacon is $729/month compared to $575/month in Washta — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Washta is more affordable at $50,500 median vs $76,200.

Median household income in Beacon is $56,000 compared to $50,313 in Washta (+11.3%). The higher salaries in Beacon partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Beacon spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13.7% in Washta.