Harlan, IA vs Waverly, IA

Harlan is moderately more affordable than Waverly, with a 9.1% lower cost of living index. Harlan scores 69 compared to 76 for Waverly, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waverly 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 $909/month in Waverly — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Harlan is more affordable at $137,500 median vs $215,200.

Median household income in Harlan is $54,923 compared to $78,429 in Waverly (-30%). While Waverly 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 13.9% in Waverly.

Climate-wise, Harlan is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 49°F in Waverly. Waverly receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 31.9" in Harlan.