Hartley, IA vs Mount Vernon, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hartley is 19.5% cheaper than Mount Vernon. With a cost index of 62 vs 77, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hartley to Mount Vernon should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hartley is $698/month compared to $802/month in Mount Vernon — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hartley is more affordable at $108,400 median vs $256,900.

Median household income in Hartley is $51,118 compared to $106,356 in Mount Vernon (-51.9%). While Mount Vernon is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hartley spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, more than the 9% in Mount Vernon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.8°F vs 48.3°F). Mount Vernon receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 26.8" in Hartley.