Perry, IA vs Tama, IA

Tama is moderately more affordable than Perry, with a 10.2% lower cost of living index. Perry scores 69 compared to 63 for Tama, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Perry can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Perry is $877/month compared to $744/month in Tama — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tama is more affordable at $101,200 median vs $122,100.

Median household income in Perry is $63,983 compared to $61,944 in Tama (+3.3%). Perry does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Perry spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, more than the 14.4% in Tama.

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