Chariton, IA vs Hartley, IA

Chariton, IA and Hartley, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Chariton scores 60 while Hartley scores 62 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 Chariton is $716/month compared to $698/month in Hartley — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hartley has cheaper rent, Chariton actually has lower median home values ($84,200 vs $108,400).

Median household income in Chariton is $52,109 compared to $51,118 in Hartley (+1.9%). Chariton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chariton spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 16.4% in Hartley.