Ellsworth, KS vs Elwood, KS

Ellsworth, KS and Elwood, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Ellsworth scores 64 while Elwood scores 65 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 Ellsworth is $693/month compared to $883/month in Elwood — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ellsworth has cheaper rent, Elwood actually has lower median home values ($90,000 vs $143,600).

Median household income in Ellsworth is $65,357 compared to $66,364 in Elwood (-1.5%). While Elwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellsworth spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, less than the 16% in Elwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.8°F vs 53.7°F). Elwood receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 29.7" in Ellsworth.