Fairway, KS vs Wathena, KS

The cost of living difference between Fairway, KS and Wathena, KS is dramatic. Wathena is 108.5% cheaper than Fairway, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairway has a cost index of 141 while Wathena sits at 67, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairway is $1,867/month compared to $794/month in Wathena — a 135% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wathena is more affordable at $154,800 median vs $626,600.

Median household income in Fairway is $159,821 compared to $84,531 in Wathena (+89.1%). The higher salaries in Fairway partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairway spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, more than the 11.3% in Wathena.