Ruthven, IA vs Sumner, IA

Ruthven, IA and Sumner, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Ruthven scores 60 while Sumner scores 58 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 Ruthven is $650/month compared to $598/month in Sumner — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sumner has cheaper rent, Ruthven actually has lower median home values ($103,400 vs $111,900).

Median household income in Ruthven is $58,750 compared to $56,174 in Sumner (+4.6%). While Ruthven is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ruthven spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Sumner.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.8°F vs 49°F). Sumner receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 26.8" in Ruthven.