New Sharon, IA vs Union, IA

New Sharon, IA and Union, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. New Sharon scores 59 while Union scores 61 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 New Sharon is $564/month compared to $775/month in Union — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Sharon has cheaper rent, Union actually has lower median home values ($72,600 vs $125,000).

Median household income in New Sharon is $60,000 compared to $60,000 in Union. Looking at affordability, residents of New Sharon spend roughly 11.3% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Union.

Climate-wise, New Sharon is notably warmer with an average of 50.7°F compared to 47.7°F in Union. New Sharon receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 32.8" in Union.