Bloomfield, IA vs Calmar, IA

Bloomfield, IA and Calmar, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Bloomfield scores 70 while Calmar scores 69 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 Bloomfield is $918/month compared to $684/month in Calmar — a 34% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Calmar has cheaper rent, Bloomfield actually has lower median home values ($122,600 vs $194,600).

Median household income in Bloomfield is $61,679 compared to $81,583 in Calmar (-24.4%). Calmar offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomfield spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, more than the 10.1% in Calmar.