Atchison, KS vs Clay Center, KS

Atchison is moderately more affordable than Clay Center, with a 10.8% lower cost of living index. Atchison scores 64 compared to 71 for Clay Center, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Clay Center can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Atchison is $736/month compared to $950/month in Clay Center — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Atchison is more affordable at $130,200 median vs $133,600.

Median household income in Atchison is $54,695 compared to $56,422 in Clay Center (-3.1%). Clay Center does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Atchison spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in Clay Center.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 55°F). Atchison receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 32.2" in Clay Center.