Harcourt, IA vs Melbourne, IA

Harcourt is moderately more affordable than Melbourne, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Harcourt scores 58 compared to 66 for Melbourne, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Melbourne can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Harcourt is $692/month compared to $722/month in Melbourne — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Harcourt is more affordable at $66,100 median vs $147,400.

Median household income in Harcourt is $59,375 compared to $82,857 in Melbourne (-28.3%). While Melbourne is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Harcourt spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Melbourne.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.6°F vs 47.7°F). Harcourt receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 32.8" in Melbourne.