Wathena, KS vs Waverly, KS

Wathena, KS and Waverly, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Wathena scores 67 while Waverly scores 65 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 Wathena is $794/month compared to $935/month in Waverly — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wathena has cheaper rent, Waverly actually has lower median home values ($85,000 vs $154,800).

Median household income in Wathena is $84,531 compared to $58,958 in Waverly (+43.4%). While Wathena is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Wathena spend roughly 11.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19% in Waverly.