Fort Scott, KS vs Hillsboro, KS

Fort Scott, KS and Hillsboro, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Fort Scott scores 63 while Hillsboro scores 63 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Scott is $796/month compared to $772/month in Hillsboro — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hillsboro has cheaper rent, Fort Scott actually has lower median home values ($89,400 vs $101,100).

Median household income in Fort Scott is $60,799 compared to $57,792 in Hillsboro (+5.2%). 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 16% in Hillsboro.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.7°F vs 55.8°F). Fort Scott receives more rainfall at 45.8" per year compared to 29.7" in Hillsboro.