Fort Riley, KS vs Hays, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hays is 16.4% cheaper than Fort Riley. With a cost index of 76 vs 89, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hays 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 $890/month in Hays — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hays is more affordable at $220,100 median vs $222,100.

Median household income in Fort Riley is $52,823 compared to $56,861 in Hays (-7.1%). Hays 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 18.8% in Hays.

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 Hays.