St. Marys, IA vs Waucoma, IA

The cost of living difference between St. Marys, IA and Waucoma, IA is dramatic. Waucoma is 47.8% cheaper than St. Marys, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. St. Marys has a cost index of 86 while Waucoma sits at 58, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in St. Marys is $1,300/month compared to $588/month in Waucoma — a 121% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waucoma is more affordable at $102,100 median vs $168,800.

Median household income in St. Marys is $78,750 compared to $71,250 in Waucoma (+10.5%). St. Marys does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of St. Marys spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 9.9% in Waucoma.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 49°F). St. Marys receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 36.3" in Waucoma.