Boone, IA vs Harlan, IA

Boone, IA and Harlan, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Boone scores 69 while Harlan scores 69 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 Boone is $791/month compared to $856/month in Harlan — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Boone has cheaper rent, Harlan actually has lower median home values ($137,500 vs $156,400).

Median household income in Boone is $67,269 compared to $54,923 in Harlan (+22.5%). Boone offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Boone spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 18.7% in Harlan.