Chariton, IA vs Jefferson, IA: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Jefferson, IA has a modeled overall cost index 0.2% lower than Chariton, IA.

Chariton, IA · modeled 2BR rent
$970 / month
Jefferson, IA · modeled 2BR rent
$920 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Chariton, IA and Jefferson, IA using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $13.03/month in Jefferson, IA

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $149,844 in Jefferson, IA

Regional cost estimates: Chariton, IA uses Des Moines, IA. Jefferson, IA uses Des Moines, IA. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 0.2%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$13.03
Savings
Annual Impact
$156
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Chariton, IA

Population:4K
Cost Index:
82.2
100 = national average
Typical Home:$162K

Jefferson, IA

Population:4K
Cost Index:
82.0
100 = national average
Typical Home:$169K

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Chariton, IA

The Hawkeye State

4K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 4K residents.

Jefferson, IA

The Hawkeye State

4K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 4K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Chariton, IA vs Jefferson, IA

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↓ 0.2%
Chariton, IA
$2,040
Jefferson, IA
$2,036
Difference
$4.20
less
Other
↓ 0.2%
Chariton, IA
$1,753
Jefferson, IA
$1,749
Difference
$3.61
less
Transportation
↓ 0.2%
Chariton, IA
$1,356
Jefferson, IA
$1,353
Difference
$2.79
less
Groceries
↓ 0.1%
Chariton, IA
$1,038
Jefferson, IA
$1,036
Difference
$1.07
less
Healthcare
↓ 0.1%
Chariton, IA
$778
Jefferson, IA
$777
Difference
$0.80
less
All Utilities
↓ 0.1%
Chariton, IA
$536
Jefferson, IA
$536
Difference
$0.55
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$720
To$680
↓ $40.00
1 Bed
From$740
To$730
↓ $10.00
2 Bed
From$970
To$920
↓ $50.00
3 Bed
From$1,240
To$1,280
↑ $40.00
Chariton, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $740–$740/mo

Jefferson, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $730–$730/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Chariton, IA
$7,487
Monthly in Jefferson, IA
$13.03
Difference

Home Values

Chariton
Jefferson
$162K
Median Value
$169K
↓ -3.1%
YoY Change
↑ +6.5%
↑ +28.5%
5-Year Change
↑ +55.9%

Homes in Jefferson are 4% more expensive than Chariton

Calculate payment - CharitonCalculate payment - Jefferson

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Chariton, IA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Iowa State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.7K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.7K
Take-Home Pay
$8,524/month
$102.3K

Jefferson, IA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Iowa State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.7K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.7K
Take-Home Pay
$8,524/month
$102.3K

Additional Tax Information

Chariton, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:1.5%

Jefferson, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:1.5%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Chariton
Jefferson
45 Good
Air Quality
45 Good
67.5%
Good Air Days
67.5%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
92 Moderate
🌡☀🌪
Top Hazards
🌡☀🌪
▲+3.4°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
25 days
Heat Days >95°F
25 days
▲+3.4°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
25 days
Heat Days >95°F
25 days

Before moving from Chariton, IA to Jefferson, IA

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Jefferson, IA for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Chariton, IA. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Chariton to Jefferson moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Jefferson, IA by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Chariton, IA vs Jefferson, IA

How do the cost estimates for Chariton, IA and Jefferson, IA compare?

Jefferson, IA has a modeled overall cost index 0.2% lower than Chariton, IA. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Chariton, IA, the model estimates $149,844 in Jefferson, IA. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Chariton, IA and Jefferson, IA?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $970/month in Chariton, IA and $920/month in Jefferson, IA. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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