Arkansas City, KS vs Edwardsville, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Arkansas City is 19.8% cheaper than Edwardsville. With a cost index of 61 vs 76, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Arkansas City to Edwardsville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arkansas City is $762/month compared to $984/month in Edwardsville — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arkansas City is more affordable at $81,700 median vs $165,700.

Median household income in Arkansas City is $53,475 compared to $76,847 in Edwardsville (-30.4%). While Edwardsville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arkansas City spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, more than the 15.4% in Edwardsville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (58.2°F vs 56.9°F). Edwardsville receives more rainfall at 38.1" per year compared to 34.9" in Arkansas City.