Emporia, KS vs Parsons, KS

Parsons is moderately more affordable than Emporia, with a 10.4% lower cost of living index. Emporia scores 66 compared to 59 for Parsons, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Emporia 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 $743/month in Parsons — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Parsons is more affordable at $70,300 median vs $127,500.

Median household income in Emporia is $52,787 compared to $50,838 in Parsons (+3.8%). Emporia 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 Emporia spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, more than the 17.5% in Parsons.