Clearwater, KS vs Cottonwood Falls, KS

The cost of living difference between Clearwater, KS and Cottonwood Falls, KS is dramatic. Cottonwood Falls is 31.1% cheaper than Clearwater, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clearwater has a cost index of 77 while Cottonwood Falls sits at 59, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Clearwater is $1,002/month compared to $688/month in Cottonwood Falls — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cottonwood Falls is more affordable at $85,200 median vs $191,500.

Median household income in Clearwater is $72,266 compared to $48,631 in Cottonwood Falls (+48.6%). While Clearwater is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clearwater spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 17% in Cottonwood Falls.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (57.7°F vs 55.7°F). Cottonwood Falls receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 34.3" in Clearwater.