Garwin, IA vs Stuart, IA

Garwin is moderately more affordable than Stuart, with a 14.5% lower cost of living index. Garwin scores 58 compared to 68 for Stuart, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Stuart can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Garwin is $645/month compared to $768/month in Stuart — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Garwin is more affordable at $85,100 median vs $152,300.

Median household income in Garwin is $56,563 compared to $62,500 in Stuart (-9.5%). The higher salaries in Stuart partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Garwin spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, less than the 14.7% in Stuart.