Alma, KS vs St. Marys, KS

Alma, KS and St. Marys, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Alma scores 77 while St. Marys scores 74 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 Alma is $1,200/month compared to $863/month in St. Marys — a 39% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while St. Marys has cheaper rent, Alma actually has lower median home values ($124,000 vs $196,300).

Median household income in Alma is $57,647 compared to $71,723 in St. Marys (-19.6%). St. Marys offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alma spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, more than the 14.4% in St. Marys.