Central City, IA vs Waukon, IA

Central City, IA and Waukon, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Central City scores 67 while Waukon scores 65 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 $719/month in Waukon — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Central City has cheaper rent, Waukon actually has lower median home values ($133,700 vs $166,400).

Median household income in Central City is $81,607 compared to $56,250 in Waukon (+45.1%). While Central City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Central City spend roughly 10.5% of their income on rent, less than the 15.3% in Waukon.