Monticello, IA vs Waverly, IA

Monticello is moderately more affordable than Waverly, with a 14.9% lower cost of living index. Monticello scores 65 compared to 76 for Waverly, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waverly can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Monticello is $659/month compared to $909/month in Waverly — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Monticello is more affordable at $160,500 median vs $215,200.

Median household income in Monticello is $67,788 compared to $78,429 in Waverly (-13.6%). The higher salaries in Waverly partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Monticello spend roughly 11.7% of their income on rent, less than the 13.9% in Waverly.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.2°F vs 49°F). Monticello receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 36.3" in Waverly.