Elk City, KS vs Wilson, KS

Elk City, KS and Wilson, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Elk City scores 61 while Wilson scores 60 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Elk City is $921/month compared to $744/month in Wilson — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wilson has cheaper rent, Elk City actually has lower median home values ($22,300 vs $75,700).

Median household income in Elk City is $35,417 compared to $58,214 in Wilson (-39.2%). Wilson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elk City spend roughly 31.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.3% in Wilson. The Wilson ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.