Elma, IA vs Mount Ayr, IA

Elma is moderately more affordable than Mount Ayr, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Elma scores 58 compared to 65 for Mount Ayr, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mount Ayr 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 $694/month in Mount Ayr — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elma is more affordable at $71,400 median vs $144,500.

Median household income in Elma is $41,528 compared to $68,676 in Mount Ayr (-39.5%). While Mount Ayr is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elma spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, more than the 12.1% in Mount Ayr.