Oelwein, IA vs Sumner, IA

Sumner is moderately more affordable than Oelwein, with a 8.2% lower cost of living index. Oelwein scores 63 compared to 58 for Sumner, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Oelwein can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Oelwein is $762/month compared to $598/month in Sumner — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sumner has cheaper rent, Oelwein actually has lower median home values ($96,800 vs $111,900).

Median household income in Oelwein is $49,821 compared to $56,174 in Sumner (-11.3%). Sumner offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Oelwein spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Sumner.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49°F vs 49°F). Sumner receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 36.3" in Oelwein.