Jefferson, IA vs State Center, IA

Jefferson, IA and State Center, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Jefferson scores 65 while State Center scores 67 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 Jefferson is $745/month compared to $741/month in State Center — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while State Center has cheaper rent, Jefferson actually has lower median home values ($126,900 vs $156,300).

Median household income in Jefferson is $54,286 compared to $72,303 in State Center (-24.9%). While State Center is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Jefferson spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in State Center.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.6°F vs 47.7°F). Jefferson receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 32.8" in State Center.