Medicine Lodge, KS vs Rolla, KS

Medicine Lodge, KS and Rolla, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Medicine Lodge scores 59 while Rolla scores 58 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 Medicine Lodge is $711/month compared to $713/month in Rolla — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Medicine Lodge has cheaper rent, Rolla actually has lower median home values ($69,200 vs $80,200).

Median household income in Medicine Lodge is $54,663 compared to $61,250 in Rolla (-10.8%). Rolla offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Medicine Lodge spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, more than the 14% in Rolla.