Stratford, IA vs Wapello, IA

Stratford is moderately more affordable than Wapello, with a 11.9% lower cost of living index. Stratford scores 56 compared to 64 for Wapello, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wapello can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Stratford is $580/month compared to $707/month in Wapello — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stratford is more affordable at $81,100 median vs $128,800.

Median household income in Stratford is $40,833 compared to $71,131 in Wapello (-42.6%). While Wapello is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Stratford spend roughly 17% 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 48.6°F in Stratford. Wapello receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 35.9" in Stratford.