Colby, KS vs Ottawa, KS

Colby is moderately more affordable than Ottawa, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Colby scores 66 compared to 74 for Ottawa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ottawa 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 $949/month in Ottawa — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Colby is more affordable at $150,700 median vs $165,700.

Median household income in Colby is $66,731 compared to $64,655 in Ottawa (+3.2%). 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 17.6% in Ottawa.