Lamoni, IA vs Manilla, IA

Lamoni, IA and Manilla, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Lamoni scores 61 while Manilla 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 Lamoni is $676/month compared to $660/month in Manilla — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Manilla is more affordable at $94,800 median vs $107,900.

Median household income in Lamoni is $52,300 compared to $66,875 in Manilla (-21.8%). Manilla offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lamoni spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, more than the 11.8% in Manilla.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.6°F vs 50.1°F). Lamoni receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 28.3" in Manilla.