Clarion, IA vs Decorah, IA

Clarion is moderately more affordable than Decorah, with a 14.9% lower cost of living index. Clarion scores 64 compared to 75 for Decorah, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Decorah can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Clarion is $764/month compared to $788/month in Decorah — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clarion is more affordable at $107,600 median vs $234,600.

Median household income in Clarion is $58,702 compared to $62,177 in Decorah (-5.6%). Decorah 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 Clarion spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in Decorah.