Montrose, IA vs Wapello, IA

Montrose is moderately more affordable than Wapello, with a 7.2% lower cost of living index. Montrose scores 59 compared to 64 for Wapello, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wapello can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Montrose is $654/month compared to $707/month in Wapello — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Montrose is more affordable at $92,100 median vs $128,800.

Median household income in Montrose is $73,333 compared to $71,131 in Wapello (+3.1%). Montrose offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Montrose spend roughly 10.7% of their income on rent, less than the 11.9% in Wapello.

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