Riverside, IA vs Rowley, IA

Riverside, IA and Rowley, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Riverside scores 72 while Rowley scores 74 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 Riverside is $800/month compared to $1,016/month in Rowley — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Riverside has cheaper rent, Rowley actually has lower median home values ($135,200 vs $191,100).

Median household income in Riverside is $81,094 compared to $60,417 in Rowley (+34.2%). Riverside offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Riverside spend roughly 11.8% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in Rowley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 49°F). Rowley receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 35.7" in Riverside.