Mapleton, IA vs Onawa, IA

Mapleton is moderately more affordable than Onawa, with a 11.7% lower cost of living index. Mapleton scores 64 compared to 73 for Onawa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Onawa can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Mapleton is $780/month compared to $1,005/month in Onawa — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mapleton is more affordable at $116,400 median vs $125,700.

Median household income in Mapleton is $52,955 compared to $54,659 in Onawa (-3.1%). Onawa does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Mapleton spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Onawa.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.4°F vs 50.1°F). Mapleton receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 28.3" in Onawa.