Hiawatha, IA vs West Union, IA

West Union is moderately more affordable than Hiawatha, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Hiawatha scores 74 compared to 71 for West Union, 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 $925/month in West Union — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hiawatha has cheaper rent, West Union actually has lower median home values ($133,200 vs $210,200).

Median household income in Hiawatha is $67,628 compared to $50,909 in West Union (+32.8%). While Hiawatha is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hiawatha spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in West Union.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 49°F). West Union receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 35.9" in Hiawatha.