Walnut, IA vs West Liberty, IA

Walnut is moderately more affordable than West Liberty, with a 8.9% lower cost of living index. Walnut scores 66 compared to 72 for West Liberty, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Liberty can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Walnut is $844/month compared to $871/month in West Liberty — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Walnut is more affordable at $97,900 median vs $169,500.

Median household income in Walnut is $65,278 compared to $66,132 in West Liberty (-1.3%). West Liberty 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 Walnut spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 15.8% in West Liberty.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.4°F vs 51°F). West Liberty receives more rainfall at 35.7" per year compared to 31.9" in Walnut.