Harlan, IA vs Manson, IA

Manson is moderately more affordable than Harlan, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Harlan scores 69 compared to 61 for Manson, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Harlan can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Harlan is $856/month compared to $656/month in Manson — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Manson is more affordable at $118,800 median vs $137,500.

Median household income in Harlan is $54,923 compared to $70,893 in Manson (-22.5%). Manson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Harlan spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 11.1% in Manson.

Climate-wise, Harlan is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 46.8°F in Manson. Harlan receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 26.8" in Manson.