Edwardsville, KS vs Smith Center, KS

The cost of living difference between Edwardsville, KS and Smith Center, KS is dramatic. Smith Center is 31.8% cheaper than Edwardsville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Edwardsville has a cost index of 76 while Smith Center sits at 58, 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 Edwardsville is $984/month compared to $646/month in Smith Center — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Smith Center is more affordable at $84,600 median vs $165,700.

Median household income in Edwardsville is $76,847 compared to $53,963 in Smith Center (+42.4%). While Edwardsville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Edwardsville spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, more than the 14.4% in Smith Center.