Jefferson, IA vs Malvern, IA

Jefferson is moderately more affordable than Malvern, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Jefferson scores 65 compared to 72 for Malvern, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Malvern can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Jefferson is $745/month compared to $843/month in Malvern — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jefferson is more affordable at $126,900 median vs $173,900.

Median household income in Jefferson is $54,286 compared to $82,027 in Malvern (-33.8%). While Malvern is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Jefferson spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Malvern.

Climate-wise, Malvern is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 48.6°F in Jefferson. Jefferson receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 31.9" in Malvern.