Hays, KS vs Salina, KS

Salina is moderately more affordable than Hays, with a 5.4% lower cost of living index. Hays scores 76 compared to 72 for Salina, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hays can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hays is $890/month compared to $911/month in Salina — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hays has cheaper rent, Salina actually has lower median home values ($164,500 vs $220,100).

Median household income in Hays is $56,861 compared to $60,624 in Salina (-6.2%). Salina 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 18% in Salina.