Portsmouth, IA vs Zearing, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Portsmouth is 23.5% cheaper than Zearing. With a cost index of 59 vs 78, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Portsmouth to Zearing should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Portsmouth is $575/month compared to $1,125/month in Zearing — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $115,500 median vs $138,600.

Median household income in Portsmouth is $79,643 compared to $67,031 in Zearing (+18.8%). Portsmouth offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Portsmouth spend roughly 8.7% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Zearing.

Climate-wise, Portsmouth is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 47.7°F in Zearing. Zearing receives more rainfall at 32.8" per year compared to 31.9" in Portsmouth.