Scranton, IA vs Smithland, IA

Smithland is moderately more affordable than Scranton, with a 7.2% lower cost of living index. Scranton scores 63 compared to 59 for Smithland, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Scranton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Scranton is $880/month compared to $725/month in Smithland — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Smithland has cheaper rent, Scranton actually has lower median home values ($58,600 vs $75,400).

Median household income in Scranton is $60,000 compared to $83,000 in Smithland (-27.7%). Smithland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Scranton spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Smithland.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.6°F vs 48.4°F). Scranton receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Smithland.