Hartley, IA vs Thornton, IA

Hartley, IA and Thornton, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Hartley scores 62 while Thornton scores 63 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 Thornton — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hartley has cheaper rent, Thornton actually has lower median home values ($99,000 vs $108,400).

Median household income in Hartley is $51,118 compared to $66,979 in Thornton (-23.7%). While Thornton 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 13.9% in Thornton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.8°F vs 45.6°F). Thornton receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 26.8" in Hartley.