Chariton, IA vs Storm Lake, IA

Chariton is moderately more affordable than Storm Lake, with a 14.2% lower cost of living index. Chariton scores 60 compared to 70 for Storm Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Storm Lake can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chariton is $716/month compared to $830/month in Storm Lake — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chariton is more affordable at $84,200 median vs $163,600.

Median household income in Chariton is $52,109 compared to $58,341 in Storm Lake (-10.7%). The higher salaries in Storm Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chariton spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 17.1% in Storm Lake.