Paton, IA vs Swea City, IA

Paton is moderately more affordable than Swea City, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Paton scores 53 compared to 56 for Swea City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Swea City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Paton is $500/month compared to $670/month in Swea City — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Paton has cheaper rent, Swea City actually has lower median home values ($48,800 vs $70,000).

Median household income in Paton is $62,292 compared to $50,625 in Swea City (+23%). Paton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Paton spend roughly 9.6% of their income on rent, less than the 15.9% in Swea City.

Climate-wise, Paton is notably warmer with an average of 48.6°F compared to 44.6°F in Swea City. Paton receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Swea City.