Albion, IA vs Parkersburg, IA

Albion, IA and Parkersburg, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Albion scores 65 while Parkersburg scores 68 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 Albion is $810/month compared to $695/month in Parkersburg — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Parkersburg has cheaper rent, Albion actually has lower median home values ($105,400 vs $200,000).

Median household income in Albion is $73,750 compared to $73,482 in Parkersburg (+0.4%). Albion offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Albion spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, more than the 11.3% in Parkersburg.