Atchison, KS vs Baldwin City, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Atchison is 23% cheaper than Baldwin City. With a cost index of 64 vs 83, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Atchison to Baldwin City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Atchison is $736/month compared to $1,020/month in Baldwin City — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Atchison is more affordable at $130,200 median vs $242,100.

Median household income in Atchison is $54,695 compared to $81,838 in Baldwin City (-33.2%). While Baldwin City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Atchison spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Baldwin City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 55.2°F). Baldwin City receives more rainfall at 35.6" per year compared to 34.8" in Atchison.