Malvern, IA vs West Liberty, IA

Malvern, IA and West Liberty, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Malvern scores 72 while West Liberty scores 72 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 Malvern is $843/month compared to $871/month in West Liberty — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Malvern has cheaper rent, West Liberty actually has lower median home values ($169,500 vs $173,900).

Median household income in Malvern is $82,027 compared to $66,132 in West Liberty (+24%). 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 15.8% in West Liberty.

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