Red Oak, IA vs Wapello, IA

Red Oak, IA and Wapello, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Red Oak scores 63 while Wapello scores 64 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Red Oak is $768/month compared to $707/month in Wapello — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wapello has cheaper rent, Red Oak actually has lower median home values ($91,600 vs $128,800).

Median household income in Red Oak is $52,996 compared to $71,131 in Wapello (-25.5%). While Wapello is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Red Oak spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, more than the 11.9% in Wapello.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.4°F vs 51.9°F). Wapello receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 31.9" in Red Oak.