Albia, IA vs Baxter, IA

Albia, IA and Baxter, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Albia scores 67 while Baxter scores 67 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 Albia is $803/month compared to $693/month in Baxter — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Baxter has cheaper rent, Albia actually has lower median home values ($132,500 vs $162,300).

Median household income in Albia is $67,791 compared to $60,625 in Baxter (+11.8%). While Albia is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Albia spend roughly 14.2% of their income on rent, more than the 13.7% in Baxter.