Denison, IA vs Tama, IA

Tama is moderately more affordable than Denison, with a 6% lower cost of living index. Denison scores 66 compared to 63 for Tama, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Denison can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Denison is $770/month compared to $744/month in Tama — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tama is more affordable at $101,200 median vs $137,600.

Median household income in Denison is $63,850 compared to $61,944 in Tama (+3.1%). The higher salaries in Denison partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Denison spend roughly 14.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.4% in Tama.