Clarion, IA vs Creston, IA

Clarion, IA and Creston, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Clarion scores 64 while Creston scores 61 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 Clarion is $764/month compared to $672/month in Creston — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Creston has cheaper rent, Clarion actually has lower median home values ($107,600 vs $112,600).

Median household income in Clarion is $58,702 compared to $50,752 in Creston (+15.7%). While Clarion is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clarion spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 15.9% in Creston.