Harlan, IA vs Sac City, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Sac City is 16.4% cheaper than Harlan. With a cost index of 59 vs 69, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Sac City to Harlan should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Harlan is $856/month compared to $620/month in Sac City — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sac City is more affordable at $106,400 median vs $137,500.

Median household income in Harlan is $54,923 compared to $57,487 in Sac City (-4.5%). Sac City 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 12.9% in Sac City.

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