Clay Center, KS vs Elkhart, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Elkhart is 21.6% cheaper than Clay Center. With a cost index of 59 vs 71, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Elkhart to Clay Center should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Clay Center is $950/month compared to $637/month in Elkhart — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elkhart is more affordable at $99,600 median vs $133,600.

Median household income in Clay Center is $56,422 compared to $66,477 in Elkhart (-15.1%). Elkhart offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Clay Center spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Elkhart.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55°F vs 57.6°F). Clay Center receives more rainfall at 32.2" per year compared to 17.8" in Elkhart.