Colby, KS vs El Dorado, KS

Colby, KS and El Dorado, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Colby scores 66 while El Dorado scores 67 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 Colby is $736/month compared to $877/month in El Dorado — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Colby has cheaper rent, El Dorado actually has lower median home values ($113,800 vs $150,700).

Median household income in Colby is $66,731 compared to $54,828 in El Dorado (+21.7%). Colby offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Colby spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 19.2% in El Dorado.

Climate-wise, El Dorado is notably warmer with an average of 57°F compared to 51.7°F in Colby. El Dorado receives more rainfall at 32.6" per year compared to 19.1" in Colby.