Baxter Springs, KS vs Plains, KS

Baxter Springs is moderately more affordable than Plains, with a 6.7% lower cost of living index. Baxter Springs scores 61 compared to 65 for Plains, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Plains can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Baxter Springs is $792/month compared to $785/month in Plains — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Plains has cheaper rent, Baxter Springs actually has lower median home values ($87,600 vs $127,700).

Median household income in Baxter Springs is $60,139 compared to $75,500 in Plains (-20.3%). While Plains is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Baxter Springs spend roughly 15.8% of their income on rent, more than the 12.5% in Plains.