Marengo, IA vs Woodward, IA

Marengo, IA and Woodward, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Marengo scores 63 while Woodward scores 61 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 $484/month in Woodward — a 49% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Woodward has cheaper rent, Marengo actually has lower median home values ($114,100 vs $179,500).

Median household income in Marengo is $58,125 compared to $68,571 in Woodward (-15.2%). Woodward 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, more than the 8.5% in Woodward.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 48.6°F). Woodward receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 35.9" in Marengo.