Central City, IA vs New Hampton, IA

Central City, IA and New Hampton, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Central City scores 67 while New Hampton scores 70 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 Central City is $715/month compared to $838/month in New Hampton — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Central City has cheaper rent, New Hampton actually has lower median home values ($159,200 vs $166,400).

Median household income in Central City is $81,607 compared to $61,491 in New Hampton (+32.7%). Central City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Central City spend roughly 10.5% of their income on rent, less than the 16.4% in New Hampton.