Clay Center, NE vs Pierce, NE

Clay Center is moderately more affordable than Pierce, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Clay Center scores 63 compared to 72 for Pierce, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pierce can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Clay Center is $620/month compared to $883/month in Pierce — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clay Center is more affordable at $148,300 median vs $157,600.

Median household income in Clay Center is $75,833 compared to $64,167 in Pierce (+18.2%). Clay Center 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 9.8% of their income on rent, less than the 16.5% in Pierce.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.2°F). Pierce receives more rainfall at 27" per year compared to 26.4" in Clay Center.