Fort Riley, KS vs Hiawatha, KS

The cost of living difference between Fort Riley, KS and Hiawatha, KS is dramatic. Hiawatha is 45.2% 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 Hiawatha sits at 61, 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 $683/month in Hiawatha — a 88% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hiawatha is more affordable at $112,500 median vs $222,100.

Median household income in Fort Riley is $52,823 compared to $65,058 in Hiawatha (-18.8%). Hiawatha 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 12.6% in Hiawatha.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55°F vs 53.1°F). Hiawatha receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 32.2" in Fort Riley.