Union, IA vs Wayland, IA

Union, IA and Wayland, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Union scores 61 while Wayland scores 63 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 Union is $775/month compared to $693/month in Wayland — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wayland has cheaper rent, Union actually has lower median home values ($72,600 vs $122,200).

Median household income in Union is $60,000 compared to $67,000 in Wayland (-10.4%). While Wayland is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Union spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, more than the 12.4% in Wayland.

Climate-wise, Wayland is notably warmer with an average of 51°F compared to 47.7°F in Union. Wayland receives more rainfall at 35.7" per year compared to 32.8" in Union.