Exeter, NE vs Mason City, NE

Exeter, NE and Mason City, NE have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Exeter scores 70 while Mason City scores 70 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 Exeter is $954/month compared to $778/month in Mason City — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mason City has cheaper rent, Exeter actually has lower median home values ($106,800 vs $175,700).

Median household income in Exeter is $63,000 compared to $49,917 in Mason City (+26.2%). Exeter offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Exeter spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.7% in Mason City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.5°F vs 50.2°F). Exeter receives more rainfall at 29.5" per year compared to 22.9" in Mason City.