Arkansas City, KS vs Clay Center, KS

Arkansas City is moderately more affordable than Clay Center, with a 14.5% lower cost of living index. Arkansas City scores 61 compared to 71 for Clay Center, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Clay Center can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Arkansas City is $762/month compared to $950/month in Clay Center — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arkansas City is more affordable at $81,700 median vs $133,600.

Median household income in Arkansas City is $53,475 compared to $56,422 in Clay Center (-5.2%). Clay Center does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Arkansas City spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in Clay Center.

Climate-wise, Arkansas City is notably warmer with an average of 58.2°F compared to 55°F in Clay Center. Arkansas City receives more rainfall at 34.9" per year compared to 32.2" in Clay Center.