Atchison, KS vs Emporia, KS

Atchison, KS and Emporia, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Atchison scores 64 while Emporia scores 66 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 $793/month in Emporia — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Atchison has cheaper rent, Emporia actually has lower median home values ($127,500 vs $130,200).

Median household income in Atchison is $54,695 compared to $52,787 in Emporia (+3.6%). Atchison 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, less than the 18% in Emporia.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 55.7°F). Emporia receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 34.8" in Atchison.