Baldwin, IA vs Lovilia, IA

Baldwin, IA and Lovilia, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Baldwin scores 62 while Lovilia scores 63 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 Baldwin is $850/month compared to $783/month in Lovilia — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lovilia has cheaper rent, Baldwin actually has lower median home values ($49,000 vs $89,800).

Median household income in Baldwin is $49,583 compared to $55,000 in Lovilia (-9.8%). While Lovilia is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Baldwin spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Lovilia.