City Comparison
Hays vs Manhattan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hays scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hays
Manhattan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hays is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Manhattan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hays's average rent is
23% lower than Manhattan's.
| Metric | Hays | Manhattan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,100 | -23% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $230 | -9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,725 | $2,020 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Manhattan offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hays delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hays is estimated at
$45,000 vs $50,000 in Manhattan.
| Metric | Hays | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 61,053 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $62,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Manhattan sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hays | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 86.40°F |
| Winter Low | 21.50°F | 20.70°F |
| Rainfall | 27.80 in | 32.30 in |
| Snowfall | 14.90 in | 15.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 283 | 286 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Manhattan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hays leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hays | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manhattan is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Hays.
From a growth perspective, Manhattan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hays has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hays | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,100 | 54,100 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 26.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hays
Advantages
Median home prices in Hays remain significantly more affordable than the national average per recent housing data.
Hays Medical Center and Fort Hays State University provide robust employment and economic stability for the region.
Crime rates in Hays are consistently well below national averages, ensuring a safe family environment.
Average commute times are exceptionally short, typically under 15 minutes across the city.
The local economy features a lower-than-average unemployment rate supported by diverse industries.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs requires significant travel for specialized entertainment or shopping.
Extreme continental weather brings hot summers and cold, windy winters with occasional severe storms.
Limited public transportation options make owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory.
Regional dining and retail options, while growing, are more limited compared to larger Kansas cities.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten during the academic year due to the influx of university students.
Manhattan
Advantages
Cost of living sits approximately 5% below the national average per recent cost-of-living indices.
Exceptional public safety ratings with crime rates well below state and national medians.
Proximity to Tuttle Creek Lake offers vast outdoor recreation, boating, and hiking opportunities.
Vibrant arts, cultural events, and Division I Big 12 collegiate athletics anchored by K-State.
High educational attainment levels and strong local public school performance.
Drawbacks
Rental market can experience tight inventories and higher prices near the university campus.
Local economy is heavily reliant on the university and military base, creating vulnerability to state/federal budget shifts.
Limited commercial flight options out of Manhattan Regional Airport require driving to Kansas City for major travel.
Humid continental climate brings notably cold winter extremes and occasional severe spring weather.
Public transit options are somewhat limited outside of core fixed-route bus services.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hays
#93Kansas, USA
67.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
283/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
70
Manhattan
#170Kansas, USA
64.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
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