Dawson, IA vs Middletown, IA

Dawson is moderately more affordable than Middletown, with a 13% lower cost of living index. Dawson scores 59 compared to 67 for Middletown, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Middletown can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dawson is $642/month compared to $784/month in Middletown — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dawson is more affordable at $82,000 median vs $144,300.

Median household income in Dawson is $65,667 compared to $64,167 in Middletown (+2.3%). Dawson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dawson spend roughly 11.7% of their income on rent, less than the 14.7% in Middletown.