Colby, KS vs Ellinwood, KS

Ellinwood is moderately more affordable than Colby, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Colby scores 66 compared to 60 for Ellinwood, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Colby can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Colby is $736/month compared to $702/month in Ellinwood — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ellinwood is more affordable at $94,800 median vs $150,700.

Median household income in Colby is $66,731 compared to $55,332 in Ellinwood (+20.6%). While Colby is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Colby spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 15.2% in Ellinwood.

Climate-wise, Ellinwood is notably warmer with an average of 54.8°F compared to 51.7°F in Colby. Ellinwood receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 19.1" in Colby.