Dodge City, KS vs Hays, KS

Dodge City is moderately more affordable than Hays, with a 6.8% lower cost of living index. Dodge City scores 71 compared to 76 for Hays, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hays can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dodge City is $982/month compared to $890/month in Hays — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hays has cheaper rent, Dodge City actually has lower median home values ($122,800 vs $220,100).

Median household income in Dodge City is $67,958 compared to $56,861 in Hays (+19.5%). Dodge City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dodge City spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.8% in Hays.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.9°F vs 54.8°F). Hays receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 22" in Dodge City.