Albia, IA vs Dunlap, IA

Albia, IA and Dunlap, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Albia scores 67 while Dunlap scores 70 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 $934/month in Dunlap — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Albia has cheaper rent, Dunlap actually has lower median home values ($115,600 vs $132,500).

Median household income in Albia is $67,791 compared to $54,609 in Dunlap (+24.1%). 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 20.5% in Dunlap.