Hawarden, IA vs Sidney, IA

Sidney is moderately more affordable than Hawarden, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Hawarden scores 68 compared to 61 for Sidney, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hawarden can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hawarden is $881/month compared to $636/month in Sidney — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sidney is more affordable at $121,200 median vs $132,700.

Median household income in Hawarden is $69,375 compared to $80,200 in Sidney (-13.5%). Sidney offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hawarden spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, more than the 9.5% in Sidney.

Climate-wise, Sidney is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 47.4°F in Hawarden. Sidney receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 27.8" in Hawarden.