Thornton, IA vs Wellman, IA

Thornton is moderately more affordable than Wellman, with a 6.1% lower cost of living index. Thornton scores 63 compared to 68 for Wellman, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wellman can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Thornton is $775/month compared to $765/month in Wellman — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wellman has cheaper rent, Thornton actually has lower median home values ($99,000 vs $149,000).

Median household income in Thornton is $66,979 compared to $56,696 in Wellman (+18.1%). Thornton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Thornton spend roughly 13.9% of their income on rent, less than the 16.2% in Wellman.

Climate-wise, Wellman is notably warmer with an average of 51°F compared to 45.6°F in Thornton. Thornton receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 35.7" in Wellman.