Carlisle, IA vs Earlham, IA

Carlisle, IA and Earlham, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Carlisle scores 77 while Earlham scores 76 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 Carlisle is $896/month compared to $779/month in Earlham — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Earlham has cheaper rent, Carlisle actually has lower median home values ($208,100 vs $248,400).

Median household income in Carlisle is $98,333 compared to $104,464 in Earlham (-5.9%). Earlham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carlisle spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, more than the 8.9% in Earlham.