City Comparison
Hays vs Olathe
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Olathe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hays
Olathe
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hays is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Olathe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hays's average rent is
41% lower than Olathe's.
| Metric | Hays | Olathe | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $240 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $1,725 | $2,400 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olathe offers 27% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olathe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hays is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Olathe.
| Metric | Hays | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 75,510 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $95,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
For sunshine, Hays comes out ahead with 28 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Olathe sees 2.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hays | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | 56.60°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 85.50°F |
| Winter Low | 21.50°F | 21.90°F |
| Rainfall | 27.80 in | 42.30 in |
| Snowfall | 14.90 in | 17.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 283 | 255 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hays has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Olathe.
For walkability, Hays leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hays | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olathe is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hays.
From a growth perspective, Olathe 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 | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,100 | 142,385 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.10% |
| 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.
Olathe
Advantages
Olathe consistently ranks among the safest cities in Kansas with violent and property crime rates well below the national average per FBI crime data.
The Olathe Public Schools (USD 233) district is highly rated statewide, offering exceptional educational outcomes and modern facilities.
The city features over 30 public parks, extensive trail systems, and community lakes providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.
Strategic location along Interstate 35 provides seamless commuting and logistics access across the entire Kansas City metropolitan area.
A thriving local economy with strong job growth in technology, logistics, and healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobiles makes public transit options limited for those who prefer not to drive.
Property taxes in Kansas can be relatively high compared to some competing states, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can experience tight competition due to high regional demand.
Warm and humid summer conditions can occasionally limit comfortable outdoor daytime activities during peak heat waves.
Suburban sprawl in newer western developments can result in longer local errand commutes.
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
Olathe
#40Kansas, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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