Manson, IA vs Whittemore, IA

Whittemore is moderately more affordable than Manson, with a 12.8% lower cost of living index. Manson scores 61 compared to 55 for Whittemore, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Manson can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Manson is $656/month compared to $508/month in Whittemore — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Whittemore is more affordable at $88,700 median vs $118,800.

Median household income in Manson is $70,893 compared to $77,054 in Whittemore (-8%). Whittemore 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, more than the 7.9% in Whittemore.

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