Hays, KS vs Ottawa, KS

Hays, KS and Ottawa, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Hays scores 76 while Ottawa scores 74 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 Hays is $890/month compared to $949/month in Ottawa — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hays has cheaper rent, Ottawa actually has lower median home values ($165,700 vs $220,100).

Median household income in Hays is $56,861 compared to $64,655 in Ottawa (-12.1%). Ottawa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hays spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.6% in Ottawa.