Fort Riley, KS vs Great Bend, KS

The cost of living difference between Fort Riley, KS and Great Bend, KS is dramatic. Great Bend is 39.8% cheaper than Fort Riley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Riley has a cost index of 89 while Great Bend sits at 63, 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 Fort Riley is $1,283/month compared to $744/month in Great Bend — a 72% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Great Bend is more affordable at $118,700 median vs $222,100.

Median household income in Fort Riley is $52,823 compared to $53,323 in Great Bend (-0.9%). 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 Fort Riley spend roughly 29.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Great Bend.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55°F vs 54.8°F). Fort Riley receives more rainfall at 32.2" per year compared to 24.8" in Great Bend.