Calamus, IA vs New Sharon, IA

Calamus, IA and New Sharon, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Calamus scores 60 while New Sharon scores 59 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 Calamus is $625/month compared to $564/month in New Sharon — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Sharon has cheaper rent, Calamus actually has lower median home values ($123,000 vs $125,000).

Median household income in Calamus is $66,250 compared to $60,000 in New Sharon (+10.4%). While Calamus is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Calamus spend roughly 11.3% of their income on rent, less than the 11.3% in New Sharon.