Albia, IA vs Carroll, IA

Albia, IA and Carroll, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Albia scores 67 while Carroll scores 69 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 $718/month in Carroll — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carroll has cheaper rent, Albia actually has lower median home values ($132,500 vs $184,100).

Median household income in Albia is $67,791 compared to $59,323 in Carroll (+14.3%). Albia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Albia spend roughly 14.2% of their income on rent, less than the 14.5% in Carroll.