Abilene, KS vs Burlington, KS

Abilene, KS and Burlington, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Abilene scores 66 while Burlington scores 68 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 Abilene is $788/month compared to $837/month in Burlington — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Abilene has cheaper rent, Burlington actually has lower median home values ($134,100 vs $136,000).

Median household income in Abilene is $56,592 compared to $52,083 in Burlington (+8.7%). Abilene offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Abilene spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 19.3% in Burlington.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.8°F vs 55.7°F). Burlington receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 29.7" in Abilene.