Harlan, IA vs Oskaloosa, IA

Harlan, IA and Oskaloosa, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0% difference in their overall index. Harlan scores 69 while Oskaloosa 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 Harlan is $856/month compared to $880/month in Oskaloosa — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Harlan has cheaper rent, Oskaloosa actually has lower median home values ($128,900 vs $137,500).

Median household income in Harlan is $54,923 compared to $62,172 in Oskaloosa (-11.7%). While Oskaloosa 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 17% in Oskaloosa.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.4°F vs 50.7°F). Oskaloosa receives more rainfall at 37" per year compared to 31.9" in Harlan.