Baldwin City, KS vs Ottawa, KS

Ottawa is moderately more affordable than Baldwin City, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Baldwin City scores 83 compared to 74 for Ottawa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Baldwin City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Baldwin City is $1,020/month compared to $949/month in Ottawa — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ottawa is more affordable at $165,700 median vs $242,100.

Median household income in Baldwin City is $81,838 compared to $64,655 in Ottawa (+26.6%). While Baldwin 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 Baldwin City spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Ottawa.