Adel, IA vs Norwalk, IA

Adel, IA and Norwalk, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Adel scores 84 while Norwalk scores 81 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 Adel is $842/month compared to $869/month in Norwalk — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Adel has cheaper rent, Norwalk actually has lower median home values ($275,700 vs $320,500).

Median household income in Adel is $96,905 compared to $94,583 in Norwalk (+2.5%). The higher salaries in Adel partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Adel spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 11% in Norwalk.