Osceola, IA vs Wapello, IA

Wapello is moderately more affordable than Osceola, with a 8.1% lower cost of living index. Osceola scores 69 compared to 64 for Wapello, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Osceola can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Osceola is $832/month compared to $707/month in Wapello — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wapello is more affordable at $128,800 median vs $145,300.

Median household income in Osceola is $62,363 compared to $71,131 in Wapello (-12.3%). Wapello offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Osceola spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, more than the 11.9% in Wapello.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.6°F vs 51.9°F). Wapello receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 37.4" in Osceola.