Beacon, IA vs West Chester, IA

Beacon, IA and West Chester, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Beacon scores 60 while West Chester scores 60 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 Beacon is $729/month compared to $718/month in West Chester — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Chester is more affordable at $73,800 median vs $76,200.

Median household income in Beacon is $56,000 compared to $49,750 in West Chester (+12.6%). While Beacon is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Beacon spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in West Chester.