Emporia, KS vs Hays, KS

Emporia is moderately more affordable than Hays, with a 13.8% lower cost of living index. Emporia scores 66 compared to 76 for Hays, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hays can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Emporia is $793/month compared to $890/month in Hays — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Emporia is more affordable at $127,500 median vs $220,100.

Median household income in Emporia is $52,787 compared to $56,861 in Hays (-7.2%). The higher salaries in Hays partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Emporia spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, less than the 18.8% in Hays.

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 Hays.