Gardner, KS vs Great Bend, KS

The cost of living difference between Gardner, KS and Great Bend, KS is dramatic. Great Bend is 49% cheaper than Gardner, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gardner has a cost index of 95 while Great Bend sits at 63, 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 Gardner is $1,296/month compared to $744/month in Great Bend — a 74% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Great Bend is more affordable at $118,700 median vs $276,000.

Median household income in Gardner is $92,579 compared to $53,323 in Great Bend (+73.6%). While Gardner is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gardner spend roughly 16.8% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Great Bend.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.1°F vs 54.8°F). Gardner receives more rainfall at 37.5" per year compared to 24.8" in Great Bend.