Brandon, IA vs Calmar, IA

Brandon, IA and Calmar, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Brandon 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 Brandon is $1,013/month compared to $684/month in Calmar — a 48% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Calmar has cheaper rent, Brandon actually has lower median home values ($100,000 vs $194,600).

Median household income in Brandon is $61,875 compared to $81,583 in Calmar (-24.2%). 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 Brandon spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 10.1% in Calmar.