Malvern, IA vs Waukon, IA

Waukon is moderately more affordable than Malvern, with a 11.8% lower cost of living index. Malvern scores 72 compared to 65 for Waukon, 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 Malvern is $843/month compared to $719/month in Waukon — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukon is more affordable at $133,700 median vs $173,900.

Median household income in Malvern is $82,027 compared to $56,250 in Waukon (+45.8%). 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 Malvern spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, less than the 15.3% in Waukon.

Climate-wise, Malvern is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 48.1°F in Waukon. Waukon receives more rainfall at 33.9" per year compared to 31.9" in Malvern.