Bel Aire, KS vs Hays, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hays is 21.9% cheaper than Bel Aire. With a cost index of 76 vs 93, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hays to Bel Aire should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bel Aire is $1,454/month compared to $890/month in Hays — a 63% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hays has cheaper rent, Bel Aire actually has lower median home values ($213,500 vs $220,100).

Median household income in Bel Aire is $93,182 compared to $56,861 in Hays (+63.9%). While Bel Aire is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bel Aire spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.8% in Hays.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (57°F vs 54.8°F). Bel Aire receives more rainfall at 32.6" per year compared to 24.8" in Hays.