Emporia, KS vs Great Bend, KS

Emporia, KS and Great Bend, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Emporia scores 66 while Great Bend scores 63 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 Emporia is $793/month compared to $744/month in Great Bend — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Great Bend is more affordable at $118,700 median vs $127,500.

Median household income in Emporia is $52,787 compared to $53,323 in Great Bend (-1%). Great Bend offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Emporia spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Great Bend.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.7°F vs 54.8°F). Emporia receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 24.8" in Great Bend.