Baxter Springs, KS vs Belle Plaine, KS

Baxter Springs, KS and Belle Plaine, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Baxter Springs scores 61 while Belle Plaine scores 64 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 Baxter Springs is $792/month compared to $754/month in Belle Plaine — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Belle Plaine has cheaper rent, Baxter Springs actually has lower median home values ($87,600 vs $121,500).

Median household income in Baxter Springs is $60,139 compared to $62,727 in Belle Plaine (-4.1%). The higher salaries in Belle Plaine partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Baxter Springs spend roughly 15.8% of their income on rent, more than the 14.4% in Belle Plaine.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (58.1°F vs 57.7°F). Baxter Springs receives more rainfall at 45.6" per year compared to 34.3" in Belle Plaine.