Charter Oak, IA vs Malvern, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Charter Oak is 16.8% cheaper than Malvern. With a cost index of 60 vs 72, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Charter Oak to Malvern should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Charter Oak is $710/month compared to $843/month in Malvern — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charter Oak is more affordable at $81,600 median vs $173,900.

Median household income in Charter Oak is $58,068 compared to $82,027 in Malvern (-29.2%). While Malvern is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Charter Oak spend roughly 14.7% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Malvern.