Elwood, KS vs Hiawatha, KS

Hiawatha is moderately more affordable than Elwood, with a 6.1% lower cost of living index. Elwood scores 65 compared to 61 for Hiawatha, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elwood can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elwood is $883/month compared to $683/month in Hiawatha — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hiawatha has cheaper rent, Elwood actually has lower median home values ($90,000 vs $112,500).

Median household income in Elwood is $66,364 compared to $65,058 in Hiawatha (+2%). Elwood does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Elwood spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in Hiawatha.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53.1°F). Elwood receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 34.7" in Hiawatha.