St. Charles, IA vs West Branch, IA

St. Charles, IA and West Branch, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. St. Charles scores 77 while West Branch scores 80 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 St. Charles is $939/month compared to $958/month in West Branch — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Charles is more affordable at $197,100 median vs $226,700.

Median household income in St. Charles is $81,944 compared to $87,891 in West Branch (-6.8%). While West Branch is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of St. Charles spend roughly 13.8% of their income on rent, more than the 13.1% in West Branch.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 51°F). St. Charles receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 35.7" in West Branch.