Mason City, IA vs Newton, IA

Mason City, IA and Newton, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Mason City scores 69 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 Mason City is $874/month compared to $828/month in Newton — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Newton has cheaper rent, Mason City actually has lower median home values ($130,000 vs $151,600).

Median household income in Mason City is $62,369 compared to $56,321 in Newton (+10.7%). Mason City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mason City spend roughly 16.8% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Newton.

Climate-wise, Newton is notably warmer with an average of 49.5°F compared to 45.6°F in Mason City. Newton receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 36.3" in Mason City.