Malcom, IA vs Maxwell, IA

Malcom, IA and Maxwell, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Malcom scores 61 while Maxwell scores 63 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 Malcom is $675/month compared to $625/month in Maxwell — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Maxwell has cheaper rent, Malcom actually has lower median home values ($110,100 vs $147,300).

Median household income in Malcom is $73,056 compared to $85,789 in Maxwell (-14.8%). While Maxwell is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Malcom spend roughly 11.1% of their income on rent, more than the 8.7% in Maxwell.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 48.6°F). Maxwell receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 32.8" in Malcom.