Charles City, IA vs Newton, IA

Charles City is moderately more affordable than Newton, with a 13.4% lower cost of living index. Charles City scores 61 compared to 70 for Newton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Newton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Charles City is $628/month compared to $828/month in Newton — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charles City is more affordable at $118,900 median vs $151,600.

Median household income in Charles City is $56,734 compared to $56,321 in Newton (+0.7%). Charles 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 Charles City spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Newton.