Carroll, IA vs Harlan, IA

Carroll, IA and Harlan, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Carroll 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 Carroll is $718/month compared to $856/month in Harlan — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carroll has cheaper rent, Harlan actually has lower median home values ($137,500 vs $184,100).

Median household income in Carroll is $59,323 compared to $54,923 in Harlan (+8%). Carroll offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carroll spend roughly 14.5% of their income on rent, less than the 18.7% in Harlan.