Laurens, IA vs New Hampton, IA

Laurens is moderately more affordable than New Hampton, with a 13.5% lower cost of living index. Laurens scores 61 compared to 70 for New Hampton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of New Hampton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Laurens is $763/month compared to $838/month in New Hampton — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Laurens is more affordable at $71,000 median vs $159,200.

Median household income in Laurens is $56,354 compared to $61,491 in New Hampton (-8.4%). The higher salaries in New Hampton partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Laurens spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 16.4% in New Hampton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.8°F vs 49°F). New Hampton receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 26.8" in Laurens.