Elma, IA vs Harpers Ferry, IA

Elma is moderately more affordable than Harpers Ferry, with a 13% lower cost of living index. Elma scores 58 compared to 67 for Harpers Ferry, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Harpers Ferry can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elma is $668/month compared to $700/month in Harpers Ferry — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elma is more affordable at $71,400 median vs $165,100.

Median household income in Elma is $41,528 compared to $37,813 in Harpers Ferry (+9.8%). Elma offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elma spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Harpers Ferry.