Wayland, IA vs Worthington, IA

Wayland, IA and Worthington, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Wayland scores 63 while Worthington scores 61 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 Wayland is $693/month compared to $575/month in Worthington — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Worthington has cheaper rent, Wayland actually has lower median home values ($122,200 vs $150,500).

Median household income in Wayland is $67,000 compared to $81,875 in Worthington (-18.2%). Worthington offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Wayland spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, more than the 8.4% in Worthington.

Climate-wise, Wayland is notably warmer with an average of 51°F compared to 47.2°F in Worthington. Worthington receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 35.7" in Wayland.