Hartley, IA vs Russell, IA

Hartley, IA and Russell, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Hartley scores 62 while Russell scores 60 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 Hartley is $698/month compared to $775/month in Russell — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hartley has cheaper rent, Russell actually has lower median home values ($60,400 vs $108,400).

Median household income in Hartley is $51,118 compared to $50,750 in Russell (+0.7%). Hartley does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hartley spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Russell.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.8°F vs 49.5°F). Russell receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 26.8" in Hartley.