Arkansas City, KS vs Fairway, KS

The cost of living difference between Arkansas City, KS and Fairway, KS is dramatic. Arkansas City is 56.6% cheaper than Fairway, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arkansas City has a cost index of 61 while Fairway sits at 141, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arkansas City is $762/month compared to $1,867/month in Fairway — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arkansas City is more affordable at $81,700 median vs $626,600.

Median household income in Arkansas City is $53,475 compared to $159,821 in Fairway (-66.5%). While Fairway 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 14% in Fairway.

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