Hesston, KS vs Plains, KS

Hesston, KS and Plains, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Hesston scores 68 while Plains scores 65 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 Hesston is $722/month compared to $785/month in Plains — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hesston has cheaper rent, Plains actually has lower median home values ($127,700 vs $183,000).

Median household income in Hesston is $72,620 compared to $75,500 in Plains (-3.8%). Plains offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hesston spend roughly 11.9% of their income on rent, less than the 12.5% in Plains.