Newton, IA vs Wisconsin Rapids, WI: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Wisconsin Rapids, WI has a modeled overall cost index 5.4% higher than Newton, IA.

Newton, IA · modeled 2BR rent
$1,010 / month
Wisconsin Rapids, WI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,020 / 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 Newton, IA and Wisconsin Rapids, WI 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 extra cost: $466/month in Wisconsin Rapids, WI

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $155,593 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Regional cost estimates: Newton, IA uses Des Moines, IA. Wisconsin Rapids, WI uses Madison, WI. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 5.4%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$466
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$5.6K
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.

Newton, IA

Population:16K
Cost Index:
84.8
100 = national average
Typical Home:$193K

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Population:19K
Cost Index:
89.4
100 = national average
Typical Home:$194K

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Newton, IA

The Hawkeye State

16K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 16K residents.

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

The Badger State

19K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 19K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Newton, IA vs Wisconsin Rapids, WI

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
↑ 19.7%
Newton, IA
$2,051
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$2,454
Difference
$404
more
Transportation
↑ 2.3%
Newton, IA
$1,362
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$1,393
Difference
$30.68
more
All Utilities
↑ 2.8%
Newton, IA
$530
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$545
Difference
$14.76
more
Other
↑ 0.7%
Newton, IA
$1,761
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$1,773
Difference
$12.16
more
Groceries
↑ 0.3%
Newton, IA
$1,026
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$1,029
Difference
$2.76
more
Healthcare
↑ 0.2%
Newton, IA
$769
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$771
Difference
$1.78
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$790
To$725
↓ $65.00
1 Bed
From$790
To$780
↓ $10.00
2 Bed
From$1,010
To$1,020
↑ $10.00
3 Bed
From$1,350
To$1,280
↓ $70.00
Newton, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $790–$790/mo

Wisconsin Rapids, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $740–$820/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 Newton, IA
$7,966
Monthly in Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$466
Difference

Home Values

Newton
Wisconsin Rapids
$193K
Median Value
$194K
↑ +4.3%
YoY Change
↑ +9.4%
↑ +37.6%
5-Year Change
↑ +54.4%
$193K
Price Range
$167K - $221K

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↑ $1.9K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$154
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.2%
Rate difference

Newton, 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

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Wisconsin State Tax
Effective: 5.9%
$8.8K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.6%
$45.9K
Take-Home Pay
$8,678/month
$104.1K

Additional Tax Information

Newton, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:1.5%

Wisconsin Rapids, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%
Property Tax:1.8%

💡 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

Newton
Wisconsin Rapids
45 Good
Air Quality
42 Good
67.5%
Good Air Days
72.1%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
94 Moderate
🌡☀🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌪💨
▲+3.4°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
25 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days
▲+3.4°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
25 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days

Before moving from Newton, IA to Wisconsin Rapids, WI

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

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Wisconsin Rapids, WI for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Newton, 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 Newton to Wisconsin Rapids moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Wisconsin Rapids, WI by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Newton, IA vs Wisconsin Rapids, WI

How do the cost estimates for Newton, IA and Wisconsin Rapids, WI compare?

Wisconsin Rapids, WI has a modeled overall cost index 5.4% higher than Newton, 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 Newton, IA, the model estimates $155,593 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. 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 Newton, IA and Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,010/month in Newton, IA and $1,020/month in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. 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.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Iowa and Wisconsin on TaxTakeHome.com

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