De Soto, KS vs Ellinwood, KS

The cost of living difference between De Soto, KS and Ellinwood, KS is dramatic. Ellinwood is 59.9% cheaper than De Soto, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. De Soto has a cost index of 96 while Ellinwood sits at 60, 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 De Soto is $1,097/month compared to $702/month in Ellinwood — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ellinwood is more affordable at $94,800 median vs $370,700.

Median household income in De Soto is $105,500 compared to $55,332 in Ellinwood (+90.7%). While De Soto is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of De Soto spend roughly 12.5% of their income on rent, less than the 15.2% in Ellinwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.1°F vs 54.8°F). De Soto receives more rainfall at 37.5" per year compared to 24.8" in Ellinwood.