Atchison, KS vs Garden City, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Atchison is 16.7% cheaper than Garden City. With a cost index of 64 vs 76, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Atchison to Garden City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Atchison is $736/month compared to $990/month in Garden City — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Atchison is more affordable at $130,200 median vs $186,200.

Median household income in Atchison is $54,695 compared to $72,511 in Garden City (-24.6%). While Garden 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, less than the 16.4% in Garden City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 54.4°F). Atchison receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 19" in Garden City.