Clay Center, NE vs Hayes Center, NE

Clay Center, NE and Hayes Center, NE have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Clay Center scores 63 while Hayes Center scores 62 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 $620/month compared to $775/month in Hayes Center — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Clay Center has cheaper rent, Hayes Center actually has lower median home values ($83,300 vs $148,300).

Median household income in Clay Center is $75,833 compared to $70,208 in Hayes Center (+8%). While Clay Center is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clay Center spend roughly 9.8% of their income on rent, less than the 13.2% in Hayes Center.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.2°F). Clay Center receives more rainfall at 26.4" per year compared to 21.5" in Hayes Center.