Cost of Living in Harlan, IA

Get crime, demographics and other data for any location in Harlan, IA
A+
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
35%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Harlan Iowa National
Cost of living8790100
Goods & Services9796100
Groceries9897100
Health care8899100
Housing6573100
Transportation9998100
Utilities9696100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Harlan is 3% lower than the Iowa average
  • The cost of living in Harlan is 13% lower than the national average
  • Harlan housing is 35% lower than the national average
  • Iowa general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Iowa state income tax is 69% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Harlan

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Compare Harlan, IA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$66,836$5,570$1,559$2,005
      Renters$25,625$2,135$598$769
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Harlan, IA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Harlan, homeowners have a median income of $66,836. Using that number, a maximum of $1,559 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $25,625, which means there is a maximum of $598 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Iowa Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Iowa 6% 7%

      Iowa Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Iowa 4.4% 6%

      Goods & Services

      Item Harlan National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.69$24.262.4%
      Beauty Salon $32.50$45.5628.7%
      Toothpaste $3.71$3.700.3%
      Shampoo $1.23$1.283.7%
      Movie $12.12$12.130.1%
      Bowling $18.36$18.002.0%

      Groceries

      Item Harlan National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.11$5.844.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.2%
      Milk $4.67$4.670.1%
      Potatoes $4.50$4.938.9%
      Pizza $11.19$12.097.4%
      Beer $9.76$10.416.3%

      Health Care

      Item Harlan National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $123.10$125.682.1%
      Doctor $135.27$135.780.4%
      Dentist $90.11$113.2920.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.62$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $357.80$468.6023.6%

      Housing

      Item Harlan National avg. Difference
      Home Price $110,900.00$184,700.0040.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,869.86$2,346.6920.3%
      Apartment Rent $723.00$949.0023.8%

      Transportation

      Item Harlan National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.22$3.467.1%
      Tire Balancing $68.12$59.9213.7%

      Utilities

      Item Harlan National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $174.82$193.999.9%
      Phone $200.78$192.254.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Jacksonville, IA10973.4%
      Corley, IA7973.4%
      Kimballton, IA2758020.5%
      Tennant, IA768020.2%
      Irwin, IA3278119.5%
      Harlan, IA4,8138712.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mount Carmel, OH4,813964.4%
      Mount Plymouth, FL4,8121043.5%
      Butler Beach, FL4,81412625.9%
      Green Tree, PA4,8141088.4%
      Bay Hill, FL4,81515554.9%
      Harlan, IA4,8138712.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
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