Tama, IA vs Iron River, MI: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Iron River, MI has a modeled overall cost index 11.3% lower than Tama, IA.

Tama, IA · modeled 2BR rent
$920 / month
Iron River, MI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,100 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Tama, IA and Iron River, MI using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

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Estimated savings: $620/month in Iron River, MI

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $142,554 in Iron River, MI

Regional cost estimates: Tama, IA uses Des Moines, IA. Iron River, MI uses Madison, WI. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 11.3%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$620
Savings
Annual Impact
$7.4K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Tama, IA

Population:3K
Cost Index:
80.6
100 = national average
Typical Home:$133K

Iron River, MI

Population:3K
Cost Index:
71.4
100 = national average
Typical Home:$133K

Planning the move to Iron River?

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Tama, IA

The Hawkeye State

3K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 3K residents.

Iron River, MI

The Great Lakes State

3K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 3K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Tama, IA vs Iron River, MI

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Other
↓ 15.3%
Tama, IA
$1,747
Iron River, MI
$1,480
Difference
$267
less
Transportation
↓ 14.0%
Tama, IA
$1,351
Iron River, MI
$1,162
Difference
$189
less
Groceries
↓ 8.0%
Tama, IA
$1,045
Iron River, MI
$961
Difference
$83.97
less
Healthcare
↓ 8.1%
Tama, IA
$783
Iron River, MI
$720
Difference
$63.21
less
All Utilities
↓ 5.7%
Tama, IA
$540
Iron River, MI
$509
Difference
$30.94
less
Housing
↑ 0.7%
Tama, IA
$2,034
Iron River, MI
$2,048
Difference
$14.00
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$680
To$780
↑ $100
1 Bed
From$760
To$840
↑ $80.00
2 Bed
From$920
To$1,100
↑ $180
3 Bed
From$1,150
To$1,320
↑ $170
Tama, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $760–$760/mo

Iron River, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $840–$840/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Tama, IA
$6,880
Monthly in Iron River, MI
$620
Difference

Home Values

Tama
Iron River
$133K
Median Value
$133K
↑ +4.7%
YoY Change
↑ +11.8%
↑ +39.3%
5-Year Change
↑ +45.2%
Calculate payment - TamaCalculate payment - Iron River

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↑ $4.3K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$361
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
2.9%
Rate difference

Tama, IA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Iowa State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.7K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.7K
Take-Home Pay
$8,524/month
$102.3K

Iron River, MI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Michigan State Tax
Effective: 4.3%
$6.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.9%
$43.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,884/month
$106.6K

Additional Tax Information

Tama, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:1.5%

Iron River, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Tama
Iron River
45 Good
Air Quality
42 Good
67.5%
Good Air Days
72.1%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
94 Moderate
🌡☀🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌪💨
▲+3.4°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
25 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days
▲+3.4°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
25 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days

Before moving from Tama, IA to Iron River, MI

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Iron River, MI for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Tama, IA. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Tama to Iron River moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Iron River, MI by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Tama, IA vs Iron River, MI

How do the cost estimates for Tama, IA and Iron River, MI compare?

Iron River, MI has a modeled overall cost index 11.3% lower than Tama, IA. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Tama, IA, the model estimates $142,554 in Iron River, MI. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Tama, IA and Iron River, MI?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $920/month in Tama, IA and $1,100/month in Iron River, MI. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Iowa and Michigan on TaxTakeHome.com

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