Allison, IA vs Marengo, IA

Allison is moderately more affordable than Marengo, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Allison scores 59 compared to 63 for Marengo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Marengo can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Allison is $619/month compared to $722/month in Marengo — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Allison is more affordable at $104,600 median vs $114,100.

Median household income in Allison is $64,306 compared to $58,125 in Marengo (+10.6%). Allison offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Allison spend roughly 11.6% of their income on rent, less than the 14.9% in Marengo.