City Comparison
Hays vs Prairie Village
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hays scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hays
Prairie Village
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hays is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Prairie Village.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hays's average rent is
53% lower than Prairie Village's.
| Metric | Hays | Prairie Village | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,800 | -53% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $230 | -9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,725 | $2,760 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Prairie Village offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Prairie Village delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hays is estimated at
$45,000 vs $65,000 in Prairie Village.
| Metric | Hays | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 62,400 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $113,530 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Hays comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Prairie Village sees 3.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hays | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 21.50°F | 22.20°F |
| Rainfall | 27.80 in | 42.60 in |
| Snowfall | 14.90 in | 18.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 283 | 266 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hays has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Prairie Village.
For walkability, Prairie Village leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hays | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Prairie Village is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Hays.
From a growth perspective, Hays 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 | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,100 | 22,900 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.14% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.90% |
| 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.
Prairie Village
Advantages
Median household income stands at $113,530, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Crime rates are roughly 50% lower than the Kansas state average, providing an exceptionally secure residential environment per AreaVibes.
Over 72% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, creating an educated and intellectually engaged community per ACS data.
High homeownership rate of 77% with strong property value appreciation trends across established neighborhoods per Zillow and Census reports.
Proximity to premier shopping hubs like the Prairie Village Shops and Corinth Square offering vibrant local dining and retail options.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is approximately 25-30% higher than the national average, driven largely by elevated housing and property costs.
Heavy reliance on private automobiles with limited public transit options within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Competitive real estate market with rising home values that can create barriers to entry for first-time home buyers.
Modest inventory of multi-family rental housing within city limits, resulting in higher average monthly rent prices.
High property tax burdens associated with owning premium real estate in Johnson County.
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
Prairie Village
#242Kansas, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.14%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
85
Business
72
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