Mediapolis, IA vs Washburn, IA

Washburn is moderately more affordable than Mediapolis, with a 7% lower cost of living index. Mediapolis scores 75 compared to 70 for Washburn, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mediapolis can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Mediapolis is $968/month compared to $930/month in Washburn — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Washburn is more affordable at $133,900 median vs $167,300.

Median household income in Mediapolis is $71,250 compared to $75,278 in Washburn (-5.4%). Washburn offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mediapolis spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, more than the 14.8% in Washburn.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49°F). Mediapolis receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 36.3" in Washburn.