Fort Riley, KS vs Garnett, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Garnett is 26.7% cheaper than Fort Riley. With a cost index of 70 vs 89, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Garnett to Fort Riley should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Riley is $1,283/month compared to $909/month in Garnett — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Garnett is more affordable at $137,800 median vs $222,100.

Median household income in Fort Riley is $52,823 compared to $46,875 in Garnett (+12.7%). Fort Riley 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 Fort Riley spend roughly 29.1% of their income on rent, more than the 23.3% in Garnett.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55°F vs 55.1°F). Garnett receives more rainfall at 37.5" per year compared to 32.2" in Fort Riley.