Arkansas City, KS vs Russell, KS

Arkansas City, KS and Russell, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Arkansas City scores 61 while Russell 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 Arkansas City is $762/month compared to $744/month in Russell — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Russell has cheaper rent, Arkansas City actually has lower median home values ($81,700 vs $109,400).

Median household income in Arkansas City is $53,475 compared to $51,347 in Russell (+4.1%). Arkansas City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Arkansas City spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Russell.