Malvern, IA vs Rock Valley, IA

Malvern is moderately more affordable than Rock Valley, with a 12.8% lower cost of living index. Malvern scores 72 compared to 83 for Rock Valley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Rock Valley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Malvern is $843/month compared to $1,070/month in Rock Valley — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Malvern is more affordable at $173,900 median vs $225,800.

Median household income in Malvern is $82,027 compared to $67,012 in Rock Valley (+22.4%). Malvern offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Malvern spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.2% in Rock Valley.

Climate-wise, Malvern is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 47.4°F in Rock Valley. Malvern receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 27.8" in Rock Valley.