Lansing, IA vs Union, IA

Lansing, IA and Union, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Lansing scores 61 while Union 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 Lansing is $581/month compared to $775/month in Union — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lansing has cheaper rent, Union actually has lower median home values ($72,600 vs $145,800).

Median household income in Lansing is $49,537 compared to $60,000 in Union (-17.4%). Union offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lansing spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Union.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.1°F vs 47.7°F). Lansing receives more rainfall at 33.9" per year compared to 32.8" in Union.