Newton, IA vs Perry, IA

Newton, IA and Perry, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Newton scores 70 while Perry scores 69 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 $877/month in Perry — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Newton has cheaper rent, Perry actually has lower median home values ($122,100 vs $151,600).

Median household income in Newton is $56,321 compared to $63,983 in Perry (-12%). Perry 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, more than the 16.4% in Perry.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.5°F vs 48.6°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 35.9" in Perry.