Beacon, IA vs Earlham, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Beacon is 21.3% cheaper than Earlham. With a cost index of 60 vs 76, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Beacon to Earlham should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Beacon is $729/month compared to $779/month in Earlham — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beacon is more affordable at $76,200 median vs $248,400.

Median household income in Beacon is $56,000 compared to $104,464 in Earlham (-46.4%). While Earlham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Beacon spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, more than the 8.9% in Earlham.