Ellinwood, KS vs Iola, KS

Ellinwood, KS and Iola, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Ellinwood scores 60 while Iola scores 58 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 Ellinwood is $702/month compared to $689/month in Iola — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Iola is more affordable at $78,100 median vs $94,800.

Median household income in Ellinwood is $55,332 compared to $50,417 in Iola (+9.7%). While Ellinwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellinwood spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, less than the 16.4% in Iola.

Climate-wise, Iola is notably warmer with an average of 58°F compared to 54.8°F in Ellinwood. Iola receives more rainfall at 40.7" per year compared to 24.8" in Ellinwood.