Hays, KS vs Leawood, KS

The cost of living difference between Hays, KS and Leawood, KS is dramatic. Hays is 44.2% cheaper than Leawood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hays has a cost index of 76 while Leawood sits at 137, 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 Hays is $890/month compared to $1,753/month in Leawood — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hays is more affordable at $220,100 median vs $620,400.

Median household income in Hays is $56,861 compared to $184,976 in Leawood (-69.3%). While Leawood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hays spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 11.4% in Leawood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54.8°F vs 55.1°F). Leawood receives more rainfall at 37.7" per year compared to 24.8" in Hays.