Glidden, IA vs Union, IA

Glidden, IA and Union, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Glidden scores 61 while Union scores 61 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 Glidden is $531/month compared to $775/month in Union — a 32% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Glidden has cheaper rent, Union actually has lower median home values ($72,600 vs $159,700).

Median household income in Glidden is $73,393 compared to $60,000 in Union (+22.3%). Glidden offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Glidden spend roughly 8.7% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Union.