Hiawatha, IA vs Missouri Valley, IA

Missouri Valley is moderately more affordable than Hiawatha, with a 10.4% lower cost of living index. Hiawatha scores 74 compared to 67 for Missouri Valley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hiawatha can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hiawatha is $846/month compared to $812/month in Missouri Valley — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Missouri Valley is more affordable at $126,500 median vs $210,200.

Median household income in Hiawatha is $67,628 compared to $64,844 in Missouri Valley (+4.3%). Hiawatha does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hiawatha spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 15% in Missouri Valley.

Climate-wise, Missouri Valley is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 48.3°F in Hiawatha. Hiawatha receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 31.9" in Missouri Valley.