Fort Scott, KS vs Hays, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fort Scott is 17.8% cheaper than Hays. With a cost index of 63 vs 76, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fort Scott to Hays should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Scott is $796/month compared to $890/month in Hays — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Scott is more affordable at $89,400 median vs $220,100.

Median household income in Fort Scott is $60,799 compared to $56,861 in Hays (+6.9%). Fort Scott 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 Scott spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.8% in Hays.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.7°F vs 54.8°F). Fort Scott receives more rainfall at 45.8" per year compared to 24.8" in Hays.