Parkersburg, IA vs Shenandoah, IA

Shenandoah is moderately more affordable than Parkersburg, with a 6.8% lower cost of living index. Parkersburg scores 68 compared to 64 for Shenandoah, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Parkersburg can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Parkersburg is $695/month compared to $762/month in Shenandoah — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Parkersburg has cheaper rent, Shenandoah actually has lower median home values ($110,000 vs $200,000).

Median household income in Parkersburg is $73,482 compared to $52,469 in Shenandoah (+40%). While Parkersburg is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Parkersburg spend roughly 11.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Shenandoah.

Climate-wise, Shenandoah is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 49°F in Parkersburg. Parkersburg receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 31.9" in Shenandoah.