What is the cost of living in Hays, KS?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Hays has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Kansas, Hays has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Kansas's index of 91.
The standard of living in Hays ranks as #38 most affordable out of the 65 places we measured in Kansas. By definition, that implies Hays ranks as the #27 most expensive place in the Sunflower State.
For more reading on life in Hays, check out:
Hays Cost Of Living Vs. Kansas
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Hays. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Hays is 100.
The Groceries index in Hays is 95.
The Health index in Hays is 91.
The Housing index in Hays is 92.
The Transportation index in Hays is 92.
The Utilities index in Hays is 98.
| Living Expense | Hays | Kansas | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health | 91 | 76 | 100 |
| Housing | 92 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 92 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 95 | 100 |
Hays Cost Of Living Compared To Kansas Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Kansas, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Hays Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Hays, KS Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Kansas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Hays is $252,837.
The Median Rent in Hays is $922.
The Median Income in Hays is $58,459.
The Home Value To Income in Hays is 4.3x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Hays is 0.19x.
Hays, KS Costs By Category
Detailed Hays Services costs vs. Kansas
Detailed Hays Groceries costs vs. Kansas
Detailed Hays Health costs vs. Kansas
Detailed Hays Transportation costs vs. Kansas
Hays SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Hays
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Hays. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Great Bend, KS has a cost of living index of 87, 0.9x Hays.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Hays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Bend, KS | 14,479 | 87 | 0.9x |
