Fort Scott, KS vs Ottawa, KS

Fort Scott is moderately more affordable than Ottawa, with a 14.8% lower cost of living index. Fort Scott scores 63 compared to 74 for Ottawa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ottawa can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Scott is $796/month compared to $949/month in Ottawa — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Scott is more affordable at $89,400 median vs $165,700.

Median household income in Fort Scott is $60,799 compared to $64,655 in Ottawa (-6%). Ottawa does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Scott spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Ottawa.