Mapleton, IA vs Marengo, IA

Mapleton, IA and Marengo, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Mapleton scores 64 while Marengo scores 63 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 Mapleton is $780/month compared to $722/month in Marengo — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marengo is more affordable at $114,100 median vs $116,400.

Median household income in Mapleton is $52,955 compared to $58,125 in Marengo (-8.9%). Marengo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mapleton spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Marengo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.4°F vs 48.3°F). Marengo receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Mapleton.