Humboldt, IA vs Manson, IA

Manson is moderately more affordable than Humboldt, with a 9.6% lower cost of living index. Humboldt scores 67 compared to 61 for Manson, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Humboldt can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Humboldt is $731/month compared to $656/month in Manson — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Manson is more affordable at $118,800 median vs $162,600.

Median household income in Humboldt is $70,661 compared to $70,893 in Manson (-0.3%). Manson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Humboldt spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, more than the 11.1% in Manson.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.6°F vs 46.8°F). Humboldt receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 26.8" in Manson.