Colby, KS vs Marion, KS

Marion is moderately more affordable than Colby, with a 10.9% lower cost of living index. Colby scores 66 compared to 59 for Marion, 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 $688/month in Marion — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marion is more affordable at $89,600 median vs $150,700.

Median household income in Colby is $66,731 compared to $60,756 in Marion (+9.8%). The higher salaries in Colby partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Colby spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 13.6% in Marion.

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