Forest City, IA vs Manning, IA

Forest City, IA and Manning, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Forest City scores 65 while Manning scores 63 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 Forest City is $719/month compared to $719/month in Manning — a 0% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Manning is more affordable at $109,400 median vs $136,400.

Median household income in Forest City is $62,917 compared to $62,310 in Manning (+1%). Forest City does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Forest City spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, less than the 13.8% in Manning.