Algona, IA vs Norwalk, IA

Algona is moderately more affordable than Norwalk, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Algona scores 72 compared to 81 for Norwalk, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Norwalk can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Algona is $887/month compared to $869/month in Norwalk — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Norwalk has cheaper rent, Algona actually has lower median home values ($156,200 vs $275,700).

Median household income in Algona is $52,542 compared to $94,583 in Norwalk (-44.4%). While Norwalk is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Algona spend roughly 20.3% of their income on rent, more than the 11% in Norwalk.