Creston, IA vs Newton, IA

Creston is moderately more affordable than Newton, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Creston 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 Creston is $672/month compared to $828/month in Newton — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Creston is more affordable at $112,600 median vs $151,600.

Median household income in Creston is $50,752 compared to $56,321 in Newton (-9.9%). The higher salaries in Newton partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Creston spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Newton.