Irwin, IA vs West Bend, IA

Irwin, IA and West Bend, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Irwin scores 59 while West Bend 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 Irwin is $700/month compared to $548/month in West Bend — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Bend has cheaper rent, Irwin actually has lower median home values ($71,100 vs $147,800).

Median household income in Irwin is $47,917 compared to $84,286 in West Bend (-43.1%). While West Bend is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Irwin spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, more than the 7.8% in West Bend.

Climate-wise, Irwin is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 44.6°F in West Bend. Irwin receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 29.3" in West Bend.