City Comparison
Hays vs Salina
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hays scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hays
Salina
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hays is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Salina.
| Metric | Hays | Salina | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $920 | -8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,725 | $1,870 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Salina offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salina delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hays is estimated at
$45,000 vs $36,792 in Salina.
| Metric | Hays | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $65,745 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $36,792 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 80,177 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $61,783 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Salina sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hays | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | 57.30°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 88.10°F |
| Winter Low | 21.50°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 27.80 in | 26.10 in |
| Snowfall | 14.90 in | 16.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 283 | 280 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Hays leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hays | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salina is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x 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 | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,100 | 46,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.90% |
| 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.
Salina
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Diverse and robust economy with key industries in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture.
Shorter than average commute times, with an average of 14.8 minutes.
Strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Regional healthcare and educational hub for North Central Kansas.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability scores.
Crime rates, particularly violent crime, are higher than the national average.
Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Property crime rate remains above the Kansas average.
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
Salina
#129Kansas, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$920
Avg Salary
$65,745
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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