Manson, IA vs Shenandoah, IA

Manson, IA and Shenandoah, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Manson scores 61 while Shenandoah scores 64 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 Manson is $656/month compared to $762/month in Shenandoah — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Manson has cheaper rent, Shenandoah actually has lower median home values ($110,000 vs $118,800).

Median household income in Manson is $70,893 compared to $52,469 in Shenandoah (+35.1%). 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 Manson spend roughly 11.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Shenandoah.

Climate-wise, Shenandoah is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 46.8°F in Manson. Shenandoah receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 26.8" in Manson.