Elma, IA vs Paton, IA

Paton is moderately more affordable than Elma, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Elma scores 58 compared to 53 for Paton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elma 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 $500/month in Paton — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Paton is more affordable at $70,000 median vs $71,400.

Median household income in Elma is $41,528 compared to $62,292 in Paton (-33.3%). Paton 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, more than the 9.6% in Paton.