Ellsworth, KS vs Harper, KS

Ellsworth, KS and Harper, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Ellsworth scores 64 while Harper scores 62 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 $809/month in Harper — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ellsworth has cheaper rent, Harper actually has lower median home values ($80,300 vs $143,600).

Median household income in Ellsworth is $65,357 compared to $58,839 in Harper (+11.1%). While Ellsworth 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 16.5% in Harper.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.8°F vs 57.4°F). Harper receives more rainfall at 33.1" per year compared to 29.7" in Ellsworth.