Red Oak, IA vs Sumner, IA

Sumner is moderately more affordable than Red Oak, with a 8.7% lower cost of living index. Red Oak scores 63 compared to 58 for Sumner, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Red Oak can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Red Oak is $768/month compared to $598/month in Sumner — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sumner has cheaper rent, Red Oak actually has lower median home values ($91,600 vs $111,900).

Median household income in Red Oak is $52,996 compared to $56,174 in Sumner (-5.7%). Sumner offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Red Oak spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Sumner.

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