Kalona, IA vs Tabor, IA

Kalona, IA and Tabor, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Kalona scores 75 while Tabor scores 78 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Kalona is $819/month compared to $1,006/month in Tabor — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kalona has cheaper rent, Tabor actually has lower median home values ($189,800 vs $221,300).

Median household income in Kalona is $72,766 compared to $68,277 in Tabor (+6.6%). Kalona offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kalona spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 17.7% in Tabor.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 52.4°F). Kalona receives more rainfall at 35.7" per year compared to 31.9" in Tabor.