Cambridge, IA vs Kalona, IA

Kalona is moderately more affordable than Cambridge, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Cambridge scores 79 compared to 75 for Kalona, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Cambridge can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Cambridge is $1,080/month compared to $819/month in Kalona — a 32% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kalona has cheaper rent, Cambridge actually has lower median home values ($172,800 vs $221,300).

Median household income in Cambridge is $74,531 compared to $72,766 in Kalona (+2.4%). Cambridge does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Cambridge spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, more than the 13.5% in Kalona.