| Index | Alden | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 82 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 52 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 90 | 94 | 100 |

| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $84,703 | $7,059 | $1,976 | $2,541 |
| Renters | $65,289 | $5,441 | $1,523 | $1,959 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Iowa | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Iowa | 4.4% | 6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bradford, IA | 63 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Galt, IA | 36 | 95 | 5.3% |
| Buckeye, IA | 107 | 71 | 28.9% |
| Geneva, IA | 136 | 75 | 24.8% |
| Dows, IA | 541 | 76 | 23.6% |
| Alden, IA | 828 | 82 | 18.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Allgood, AL | 828 | 88 | 12.1% |
| Fouke, AR | 828 | 83 | 16.9% |
| Alburnett, IA | 828 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Gilbertville, IA | 828 | 90 | 10.0% |
| Ossian, IA | 828 | 85 | 15.1% |
| Alden, IA | 828 | 82 | 18.2% |