Scott City, KS vs Wathena, KS

Scott City, KS and Wathena, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Scott City scores 68 while Wathena scores 67 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 Scott City is $778/month compared to $794/month in Wathena — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Scott City has cheaper rent, Wathena actually has lower median home values ($154,800 vs $166,400).

Median household income in Scott City is $54,026 compared to $84,531 in Wathena (-36.1%). Wathena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Scott City spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 11.3% in Wathena.