Akron, IA vs Harlan, IA

Akron is moderately more affordable than Harlan, with a 7.3% lower cost of living index. Akron scores 64 compared to 69 for Harlan, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Harlan can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Akron is $700/month compared to $856/month in Harlan — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Akron has cheaper rent, Harlan actually has lower median home values ($137,500 vs $145,300).

Median household income in Akron is $59,706 compared to $54,923 in Harlan (+8.7%). Akron offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Akron spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 18.7% in Harlan.