Hey from the ball python side of the forums! :D (got a legit question for the corns)

[shelliebear]

Corn snakes are a little easier to care for, in my opnion.
Their humidity does not need to be up so high all the time, as they come from areas of the US that can get relatively cold and have low humidity.
My corn snake has not once had a bad shed and I keep her humidity at about 10-15% when she sheds.
As for temperature gradients, I keep the room around 70-80 degrees, and put a lamp over her hot spot (waiting for another thermostat to plug her UTH into). When the UTH is on I keep it at about 85 degrees or lower.
They don't NEED a hide, but I give Cheesecake one. A lot of them like to burrow into Aspen shavings or dirt.
I don't know that an adult corn snake would be able to take on a medium rat--perhaps a small rat at best? Mine is still little, but I've seen adults. They are long but not that wide, so they can't handle huge food like BP's or anacondas or anything. (but you knew that )
I don't think they would need multiple hides. One would do it. Water bowl is needed, but doesn't need to be large enough for them to soak in--I don't see mine soaking very often.
The one hassle you WILL find at first if you buy a baby is finding small enough pinkies. My corn snake had to eat extra small pinkies at first. Petco didn't sell them, so I had to buy them from my breeder I got the snake from. =x Not a huge hassle but a bit of a pain.
They are really tiny. You won't be able to hold a baby as easy as you would a big ball python--they are skinny, they are squirmy, they are FAST. I'd recommend holding them over a tub if you do handle them so if they wriggle out of your hands, they will land safely in the tub, not on the floor and scurry away.
They are little so if you put them in a tub, it cannot have ANY holes or spaces--they WILL get out. A ball python probably couldn't get out of a 1 cm hole but a baby corn snake can and will...
Other than that, they are awesome. They are beautiful, mild-tempered, sweet, and pretty easy to care for. Everyone says BP's make a great first pet, but for the area I live in, it's pretty difficult--the humidity is always low, it gets COLD here, etc.
I find corn snakes to be easier to care for.
The morphs are also less expensive and still absolutely gorgeous. Most are under 100$.
I love corn snakes. I would suggest going to stores and looking for babies--so you can see just how teeny they are.
But I think you'd love owning one.
Good luck! Let me know if you choose to get one--and I want photos!