Boone, IA vs Oelwein, IA

Oelwein is moderately more affordable than Boone, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Boone scores 69 compared to 63 for Oelwein, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Boone can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Boone is $791/month compared to $762/month in Oelwein — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oelwein is more affordable at $96,800 median vs $156,400.

Median household income in Boone is $67,269 compared to $49,821 in Oelwein (+35%). While Boone is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Boone spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Oelwein.