Albia, IA vs Malvern, IA

Albia is moderately more affordable than Malvern, with a 7.1% lower cost of living index. Albia scores 67 compared to 72 for Malvern, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Malvern can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Albia is $803/month compared to $843/month in Malvern — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Albia is more affordable at $132,500 median vs $173,900.

Median household income in Albia is $67,791 compared to $82,027 in Malvern (-17.4%). While Malvern 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 12.3% in Malvern.