Jamaica, IA vs Whittemore, IA

Jamaica, IA and Whittemore, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Jamaica scores 54 while Whittemore scores 55 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 Jamaica is $536/month compared to $508/month in Whittemore — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Whittemore has cheaper rent, Jamaica actually has lower median home values ($65,700 vs $88,700).

Median household income in Jamaica is $53,750 compared to $77,054 in Whittemore (-30.2%). While Whittemore is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Jamaica spend roughly 12% of their income on rent, more than the 7.9% in Whittemore.

Climate-wise, Jamaica is notably warmer with an average of 48.6°F compared to 44.6°F in Whittemore. Jamaica receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Whittemore.