Calmar, IA vs Persia, IA

Calmar, IA and Persia, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Calmar scores 69 while Persia scores 70 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 Calmar is $684/month compared to $925/month in Persia — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Calmar has cheaper rent, Persia actually has lower median home values ($111,300 vs $194,600).

Median household income in Calmar is $81,583 compared to $75,000 in Persia (+8.8%). 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 Calmar spend roughly 10.1% of their income on rent, less than the 14.8% in Persia.