Harlan, IA vs Storm Lake, IA

Harlan, IA and Storm Lake, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Harlan scores 69 while Storm Lake scores 70 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 $830/month in Storm Lake — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Storm Lake has cheaper rent, Harlan actually has lower median home values ($137,500 vs $163,600).

Median household income in Harlan is $54,923 compared to $58,341 in Storm Lake (-5.9%). While Storm Lake 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 17.1% in Storm Lake.

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