Fort Riley, KS vs Liberal, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Liberal is 25.9% 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 Liberal 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 $931/month in Liberal — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Liberal is more affordable at $134,500 median vs $222,100.

Median household income in Fort Riley is $52,823 compared to $61,875 in Liberal (-14.6%). Liberal 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 18.1% in Liberal.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55°F vs 57.6°F). Fort Riley receives more rainfall at 32.2" per year compared to 17.8" in Liberal.