Newton, IA vs Washington, IA

Newton, IA and Washington, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Newton scores 70 while Washington scores 72 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 $927/month in Washington — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Newton has cheaper rent, Washington actually has lower median home values ($144,500 vs $151,600).

Median household income in Newton is $56,321 compared to $56,536 in Washington (-0.4%). Washington does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Newton spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in Washington.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.5°F vs 51°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 35.7" in Washington.