Martensdale, IA vs Stuart, IA

Stuart is moderately more affordable than Martensdale, with a 7.1% lower cost of living index. Martensdale scores 73 compared to 68 for Stuart, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Martensdale can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Martensdale is $863/month compared to $768/month in Stuart — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stuart is more affordable at $152,300 median vs $176,400.

Median household income in Martensdale is $53,750 compared to $62,500 in Stuart (-14%). Stuart offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Martensdale spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, more than the 14.7% in Stuart.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 50.9°F). Stuart receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 36.6" in Martensdale.