Mount Vernon, IA vs Stuart, IA

Stuart is moderately more affordable than Mount Vernon, with a 12.7% lower cost of living index. Mount Vernon scores 77 compared to 68 for Stuart, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mount Vernon can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Mount Vernon is $802/month compared to $768/month in Stuart — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stuart is more affordable at $152,300 median vs $256,900.

Median household income in Mount Vernon is $106,356 compared to $62,500 in Stuart (+70.2%). While Mount Vernon is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mount Vernon spend roughly 9% of their income on rent, less than the 14.7% in Stuart.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 50.9°F). Stuart receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 35.9" in Mount Vernon.