Barnum, IA vs Eldon, IA

Barnum, IA and Eldon, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Barnum scores 58 while Eldon scores 56 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 Barnum is $495/month compared to $650/month in Eldon — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Barnum has cheaper rent, Eldon actually has lower median home values ($57,600 vs $132,500).

Median household income in Barnum is $83,580 compared to $52,813 in Eldon (+58.3%). While Barnum is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barnum spend roughly 7.1% of their income on rent, less than the 14.8% in Eldon.