Gladbrook, IA vs Onawa, IA

Gladbrook is moderately more affordable than Onawa, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Gladbrook scores 66 compared to 73 for Onawa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Onawa can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Gladbrook is $807/month compared to $1,005/month in Onawa — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gladbrook is more affordable at $117,200 median vs $125,700.

Median household income in Gladbrook is $63,125 compared to $54,659 in Onawa (+15.5%). Gladbrook offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gladbrook spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Onawa.