Mallard, IA vs Riceville, IA

Mallard, IA and Riceville, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Mallard scores 68 while Riceville scores 70 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 Mallard is $1,042/month compared to $1,016/month in Riceville — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Riceville has cheaper rent, Mallard actually has lower median home values ($55,400 vs $92,100).

Median household income in Mallard is $44,625 compared to $47,434 in Riceville (-5.9%). While Riceville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mallard spend roughly 28% of their income on rent, more than the 25.7% in Riceville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.8°F vs 44.8°F). Riceville receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 26.8" in Mallard.