Alden, IA vs Malcom, IA

Alden is moderately more affordable than Malcom, with a 6.6% lower cost of living index. Alden scores 57 compared to 61 for Malcom, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Malcom can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Alden is $562/month compared to $675/month in Malcom — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alden is more affordable at $102,500 median vs $110,100.

Median household income in Alden is $55,625 compared to $73,056 in Malcom (-23.9%). While Malcom is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alden spend roughly 12.1% of their income on rent, more than the 11.1% in Malcom.