Cherokee, IA vs Waverly, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Cherokee is 17% cheaper than Waverly. With a cost index of 63 vs 76, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Cherokee to Waverly should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cherokee is $707/month compared to $909/month in Waverly — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cherokee is more affordable at $119,400 median vs $215,200.

Median household income in Cherokee is $48,693 compared to $78,429 in Waverly (-37.9%). While Waverly is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cherokee spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Waverly.