Sheldon, IA vs Wapello, IA

Wapello is moderately more affordable than Sheldon, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Sheldon scores 72 compared to 64 for Wapello, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Sheldon can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Sheldon is $842/month compared to $707/month in Wapello — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wapello is more affordable at $128,800 median vs $173,600.

Median household income in Sheldon is $68,448 compared to $71,131 in Wapello (-3.8%). Wapello offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Sheldon spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, more than the 11.9% in Wapello.

Climate-wise, Wapello is notably warmer with an average of 51.9°F compared to 46.8°F in Sheldon. Wapello receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 26.8" in Sheldon.