Clay Center, KS vs Silver Lake, KS

Clay Center, KS and Silver Lake, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Clay Center scores 71 while Silver Lake scores 70 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 Clay Center is $950/month compared to $877/month in Silver Lake — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Silver Lake has cheaper rent, Clay Center actually has lower median home values ($133,600 vs $168,900).

Median household income in Clay Center is $56,422 compared to $56,857 in Silver Lake (-0.8%). Silver Lake 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 18.5% in Silver Lake.