Albia, IA vs University Heights, IA

The cost of living difference between Albia, IA and University Heights, IA is dramatic. Albia is 37.6% cheaper than University Heights, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Albia has a cost index of 67 while University Heights sits at 107, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Albia is $803/month compared to $1,417/month in University Heights — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Albia is more affordable at $132,500 median vs $393,200.

Median household income in Albia is $67,791 compared to $105,172 in University Heights (-35.5%). The higher salaries in University Heights partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Albia spend roughly 14.2% of their income on rent, less than the 16.2% in University Heights.