Atchison, KS vs Gardner, KS

The cost of living difference between Atchison, KS and Gardner, KS is dramatic. Atchison is 32.7% cheaper than Gardner, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Atchison has a cost index of 64 while Gardner sits at 95, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Atchison is $736/month compared to $1,296/month in Gardner — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Atchison is more affordable at $130,200 median vs $276,000.

Median household income in Atchison is $54,695 compared to $92,579 in Gardner (-40.9%). While Gardner 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 16.8% in Gardner.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 55.1°F). Gardner receives more rainfall at 37.5" per year compared to 34.8" in Atchison.