Marengo, IA vs Villisca, IA

Marengo, IA and Villisca, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Marengo scores 63 while Villisca scores 60 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 Marengo is $722/month compared to $732/month in Villisca — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marengo has cheaper rent, Villisca actually has lower median home values ($74,100 vs $114,100).

Median household income in Marengo is $58,125 compared to $58,469 in Villisca (-0.6%). Villisca offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Marengo spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, less than the 15% in Villisca.

Climate-wise, Villisca is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 48.3°F in Marengo. Marengo receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 31.9" in Villisca.