Lone Tree, IA vs Story City, IA

Lone Tree, IA and Story City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Lone Tree scores 75 while Story City scores 78 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 Lone Tree is $947/month compared to $956/month in Story City — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lone Tree is more affordable at $170,700 median vs $205,800.

Median household income in Lone Tree is $80,294 compared to $73,558 in Story City (+9.2%). Lone Tree offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lone Tree spend roughly 14.2% of their income on rent, less than the 15.6% in Story City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 48.6°F). Story City receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 35.7" in Lone Tree.