Median rent is 51% lower in Mason City ($874/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Mason City, where the median home runs $130,000 versus $751,700. Households earn more in New York ($79,713 vs $62,369 a year).
City A
Mason City, IA
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Mason City, IA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Mason City
Iowa
New York
New York
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Mason City — median rent of $874/mo versus $1,779/mo in New York, a 51% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $130,000 in Mason City — 83% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Iowa's top income tax rate is 5.70% versus 10.90% in New York, so Mason City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Iowa and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Mason City
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.00%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for Mason City.
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,713/yr).
Pick Mason City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($874/mo median).
Pick Mason City if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.70%).
Is Mason City cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Mason City vs New York?
Median rent is $874/mo in Mason City, IA and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. Mason City, IA has the lower rent by about 51%.
Which has higher salaries — Mason City or New York?
Median household income is $62,369 in Mason City, IA and $79,713 in New York, NY. New York, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Mason City or New York?
Iowa's top income tax rate is 5.70% and New York's is 10.90%. Mason City, IA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York to match my Mason City income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology