Newton, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

Newton, IA and Ottumwa, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Newton scores 70 while Ottumwa scores 68 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 Newton is $828/month compared to $956/month in Ottumwa — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Newton has cheaper rent, Ottumwa actually has lower median home values ($92,400 vs $151,600).

Median household income in Newton is $56,321 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (-1.2%). Ottumwa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Newton spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Ottumwa.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.5°F vs 50.7°F). Ottumwa receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 36.6" in Newton.