Arnolds Park, IA vs Hawarden, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hawarden is 25% cheaper than Arnolds Park. With a cost index of 68 vs 86, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hawarden to Arnolds Park should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arnolds Park is $671/month compared to $881/month in Hawarden — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Arnolds Park has cheaper rent, Hawarden actually has lower median home values ($132,700 vs $407,600).

Median household income in Arnolds Park is $84,659 compared to $69,375 in Hawarden (+22%). The higher salaries in Arnolds Park partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arnolds Park spend roughly 9.5% of their income on rent, less than the 15.2% in Hawarden.