Mount Vernon, IA vs Urbana, IA

Mount Vernon, IA and Urbana, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Mount Vernon scores 77 while Urbana scores 73 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Mount Vernon is $802/month compared to $776/month in Urbana — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Urbana is more affordable at $224,100 median vs $256,900.

Median household income in Mount Vernon is $106,356 compared to $112,672 in Urbana (-5.6%). Urbana offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mount Vernon spend roughly 9% of their income on rent, more than the 8.3% in Urbana.

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