Birmingham, IA vs Malvern, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Birmingham is 26.3% cheaper than Malvern. With a cost index of 53 vs 72, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Birmingham to Malvern should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Birmingham is $442/month compared to $843/month in Malvern — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Birmingham is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $173,900.

Median household income in Birmingham is $58,688 compared to $82,027 in Malvern (-28.5%). While Malvern is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Birmingham spend roughly 9% of their income on rent, less than the 12.3% in Malvern.