Hiawatha, KS vs Independence, KS

Hiawatha, KS and Independence, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Hiawatha scores 61 while Independence scores 62 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 Hiawatha is $683/month compared to $790/month in Independence — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hiawatha has cheaper rent, Independence actually has lower median home values ($78,500 vs $112,500).

Median household income in Hiawatha is $65,058 compared to $49,164 in Independence (+32.3%). Hiawatha offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hiawatha spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.3% in Independence.

Climate-wise, Independence is notably warmer with an average of 58.8°F compared to 53.1°F in Hiawatha. Independence receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 34.7" in Hiawatha.