Arlington, IA vs Dunlap, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Arlington is 19% cheaper than Dunlap. With a cost index of 57 vs 70, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Arlington to Dunlap should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $525/month compared to $934/month in Dunlap — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arlington is more affordable at $110,900 median vs $115,600.

Median household income in Arlington is $41,250 compared to $54,609 in Dunlap (-24.5%). While Dunlap is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Dunlap.