Monona, IA vs Whittemore, IA

The cost of living difference between Monona, IA and Whittemore, IA is dramatic. Whittemore is 33% cheaper than Monona, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Monona has a cost index of 72 while Whittemore sits at 55, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Monona is $1,000/month compared to $508/month in Whittemore — a 97% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Whittemore is more affordable at $88,700 median vs $125,900.

Median household income in Monona is $70,509 compared to $77,054 in Whittemore (-8.5%). Whittemore offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Monona spend roughly 17% of their income on rent, more than the 7.9% in Whittemore.

Climate-wise, Monona is notably warmer with an average of 48.1°F compared to 44.6°F in Whittemore. Monona receives more rainfall at 33.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Whittemore.