Harlan, IA vs Stuart, IA

Harlan, IA and Stuart, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Harlan scores 69 while Stuart scores 68 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 $768/month in Stuart — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Stuart has cheaper rent, Harlan actually has lower median home values ($137,500 vs $152,300).

Median household income in Harlan is $54,923 compared to $62,500 in Stuart (-12.1%). Stuart 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 14.7% in Stuart.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.4°F vs 50.9°F). Stuart receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 31.9" in Harlan.