Howard, KS vs Smith Center, KS

Howard is moderately more affordable than Smith Center, with a 14.9% lower cost of living index. Howard scores 49 compared to 58 for Smith Center, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Smith Center can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Howard is $447/month compared to $646/month in Smith Center — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Howard is more affordable at $53,400 median vs $84,600.

Median household income in Howard is $53,125 compared to $53,963 in Smith Center (-1.6%). Smith Center does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Howard spend roughly 10.1% of their income on rent, less than the 14.4% in Smith Center.