Newton, IA vs Red Oak, IA

Red Oak is moderately more affordable than Newton, with a 10.8% lower cost of living index. Newton scores 70 compared to 63 for Red Oak, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Newton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Newton is $828/month compared to $768/month in Red Oak — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Oak is more affordable at $91,600 median vs $151,600.

Median household income in Newton is $56,321 compared to $52,996 in Red Oak (+6.3%). The higher salaries in Newton partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Newton spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Red Oak.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.5°F vs 52.4°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 31.9" in Red Oak.