Hill City, KS vs Howard, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Howard is 23.4% cheaper than Hill City. With a cost index of 49 vs 61, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Howard to Hill City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hill City is $729/month compared to $447/month in Howard — a 63% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Howard is more affordable at $53,400 median vs $89,300.

Median household income in Hill City is $49,899 compared to $53,125 in Howard (-6.1%). Howard offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hill City spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, more than the 10.1% in Howard.

Climate-wise, Howard is notably warmer with an average of 58°F compared to 53.9°F in Hill City. Howard receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 21.5" in Hill City.