Jefferson, IA vs Manning, IA

Jefferson, IA and Manning, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Jefferson scores 65 while Manning 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 Jefferson is $745/month compared to $719/month in Manning — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Manning is more affordable at $109,400 median vs $126,900.

Median household income in Jefferson is $54,286 compared to $62,310 in Manning (-12.9%). Manning offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Jefferson spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 13.8% in Manning.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.6°F vs 50.1°F). Jefferson receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 28.3" in Manning.