Guttenberg, IA vs Harlan, IA

Guttenberg, IA and Harlan, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Guttenberg scores 70 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 Guttenberg is $799/month compared to $856/month in Harlan — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Guttenberg has cheaper rent, Harlan actually has lower median home values ($137,500 vs $183,800).

Median household income in Guttenberg is $49,613 compared to $54,923 in Harlan (-9.7%). Harlan offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Guttenberg spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Harlan.

Climate-wise, Harlan is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 48.1°F in Guttenberg. Guttenberg receives more rainfall at 33.9" per year compared to 31.9" in Harlan.