Mount Vernon, IA vs Waverly, IA

Mount Vernon, IA and Waverly, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Mount Vernon scores 77 while Waverly scores 76 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 $909/month in Waverly — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Vernon has cheaper rent, Waverly actually has lower median home values ($215,200 vs $256,900).

Median household income in Mount Vernon is $106,356 compared to $78,429 in Waverly (+35.6%). 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 13.9% in Waverly.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 49°F). Waverly receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 35.9" in Mount Vernon.