Alta, IA vs Earlville, IA

Alta, IA and Earlville, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Alta scores 70 while Earlville scores 67 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 Alta is $915/month compared to $770/month in Earlville — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Earlville has cheaper rent, Alta actually has lower median home values ($125,800 vs $148,100).

Median household income in Alta is $66,118 compared to $71,125 in Earlville (-7%). Earlville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alta spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13% in Earlville.