Abilene, KS vs Great Bend, KS

Abilene, KS and Great Bend, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Abilene scores 66 while Great Bend scores 63 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 $744/month in Great Bend — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Great Bend is more affordable at $118,700 median vs $136,000.

Median household income in Abilene is $56,592 compared to $53,323 in Great Bend (+6.1%). While Abilene is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Abilene spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in Great Bend.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.8°F vs 54.8°F). Abilene receives more rainfall at 29.7" per year compared to 24.8" in Great Bend.