Castana, IA vs Thompson, IA

Castana, IA and Thompson, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Castana scores 59 while Thompson scores 61 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 Castana is $725/month compared to $696/month in Thompson — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Thompson has cheaper rent, Castana actually has lower median home values ($67,500 vs $99,600).

Median household income in Castana is $55,833 compared to $49,375 in Thompson (+13.1%). Castana offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Castana spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in Thompson.