Jewell Junction, IA vs Story City, IA

Jewell Junction is moderately more affordable than Story City, with a 12% lower cost of living index. Jewell Junction scores 69 compared to 78 for Story City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Story City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Jewell Junction is $863/month compared to $956/month in Story City — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jewell Junction is more affordable at $128,300 median vs $205,800.

Median household income in Jewell Junction is $75,313 compared to $73,558 in Story City (+2.4%). Jewell Junction offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Jewell Junction spend roughly 13.8% of their income on rent, less than the 15.6% in Story City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.6°F vs 48.6°F). Story City receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 35.9" in Jewell Junction.