Harlan, IA vs Lisbon, IA

Harlan, IA and Lisbon, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Harlan scores 69 while Lisbon scores 72 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 Harlan is $856/month compared to $792/month in Lisbon — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lisbon has cheaper rent, Harlan actually has lower median home values ($137,500 vs $202,600).

Median household income in Harlan is $54,923 compared to $83,125 in Lisbon (-33.9%). While Lisbon is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Harlan spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 11.4% in Lisbon.

Climate-wise, Harlan is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 48.3°F in Lisbon. Lisbon receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 31.9" in Harlan.