Onawa, IA vs Underwood, IA

Onawa, IA and Underwood, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Onawa scores 73 while Underwood scores 76 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 Onawa is $1,005/month compared to $819/month in Underwood — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Underwood has cheaper rent, Onawa actually has lower median home values ($125,700 vs $227,400).

Median household income in Onawa is $54,659 compared to $90,556 in Underwood (-39.6%). While Underwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Onawa spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, more than the 10.9% in Underwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 52.4°F). Underwood receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 28.3" in Onawa.