Sheldon, IA vs Storm Lake, IA

Sheldon, IA and Storm Lake, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Sheldon scores 72 while Storm Lake scores 70 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 Sheldon is $842/month compared to $830/month in Storm Lake — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Storm Lake is more affordable at $163,600 median vs $173,600.

Median household income in Sheldon is $68,448 compared to $58,341 in Storm Lake (+17.3%). While Sheldon is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Sheldon spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 17.1% in Storm Lake.

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