Clay Center, KS vs Wathena, KS

Wathena is moderately more affordable than Clay Center, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Clay Center scores 71 compared to 67 for Wathena, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Clay Center can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Clay Center is $950/month compared to $794/month in Wathena — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wathena has cheaper rent, Clay Center actually has lower median home values ($133,600 vs $154,800).

Median household income in Clay Center is $56,422 compared to $84,531 in Wathena (-33.3%). Wathena 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 11.3% in Wathena.