Auburn, KS vs Hiawatha, KS

Hiawatha is moderately more affordable than Auburn, with a 11.5% lower cost of living index. Auburn scores 68 compared to 61 for Hiawatha, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Auburn can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $889/month compared to $683/month in Hiawatha — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hiawatha is more affordable at $112,500 median vs $135,700.

Median household income in Auburn is $63,382 compared to $65,058 in Hiawatha (-2.6%). Hiawatha offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 16.8% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in Hiawatha.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.4°F vs 53.1°F). Auburn receives more rainfall at 36.7" per year compared to 34.7" in Hiawatha.