Atchison, KS vs Baxter Springs, KS

Atchison, KS and Baxter Springs, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Atchison scores 64 while Baxter Springs scores 61 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 Atchison is $736/month compared to $792/month in Baxter Springs — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Atchison has cheaper rent, Baxter Springs actually has lower median home values ($87,600 vs $130,200).

Median household income in Atchison is $54,695 compared to $60,139 in Baxter Springs (-9.1%). Baxter Springs offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Atchison spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, more than the 15.8% in Baxter Springs.

Climate-wise, Baxter Springs is notably warmer with an average of 58.1°F compared to 53.7°F in Atchison. Baxter Springs receives more rainfall at 45.6" per year compared to 34.8" in Atchison.