Fort Riley, KS vs Lyons, KS

The cost of living difference between Fort Riley, KS and Lyons, KS is dramatic. Lyons is 42.8% 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 Lyons sits at 62, 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 $739/month in Lyons — a 74% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lyons is more affordable at $104,200 median vs $222,100.

Median household income in Fort Riley is $52,823 compared to $66,769 in Lyons (-20.9%). Lyons 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 13.3% in Lyons.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55°F vs 56.1°F). Fort Riley receives more rainfall at 32.2" per year compared to 28.3" in Lyons.