Kelley, IA vs New Sharon, IA

The cost of living difference between Kelley, IA and New Sharon, IA is dramatic. New Sharon is 34.2% cheaper than Kelley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kelley has a cost index of 79 while New Sharon sits at 59, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Kelley is $971/month compared to $564/month in New Sharon — a 72% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Sharon is more affordable at $125,000 median vs $218,800.

Median household income in Kelley is $119,375 compared to $60,000 in New Sharon (+99%). While Kelley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kelley spend roughly 9.8% of their income on rent, less than the 11.3% in New Sharon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.6°F vs 50.7°F). New Sharon receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 35.9" in Kelley.