Marshalltown, IA vs Newton, IA

Marshalltown, IA and Newton, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Marshalltown scores 68 while Newton scores 70 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 Marshalltown is $864/month compared to $828/month in Newton — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Newton has cheaper rent, Marshalltown actually has lower median home values ($117,100 vs $151,600).

Median household income in Marshalltown is $68,854 compared to $56,321 in Newton (+22.3%). Marshalltown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Marshalltown spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Newton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 49.5°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 32.8" in Marshalltown.