Edgewood, IA vs Malcom, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Malcom is 22.5% cheaper than Edgewood. With a cost index of 61 vs 75, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Malcom to Edgewood should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Edgewood is $975/month compared to $675/month in Malcom — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Malcom is more affordable at $110,100 median vs $167,000.

Median household income in Edgewood is $56,875 compared to $73,056 in Malcom (-22.1%). Malcom offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Edgewood spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, more than the 11.1% in Malcom.