Best Affordable Places to Live in Kansas in 2025
(Last Updated – 03/2025)
The rolling prairies and plains of Kansas make for a peaceful place to live. The Sunflower State gets plenty of sunshine in the summer, but winters can be harsh — with lovely fall and spring seasons in between. Farming is as important as ever to Kansas’ economy, but you can also find plenty of job opportunities in manufacturing and oil. Across the state, there is lots for families to do, such as zoos, botanical gardens, parks, and museums, including one dedicated to The Wizard of Oz.
Nearly 3 million Americans call Kansas home, and the median household income is just over $72,000. Compared to the rest of the country, especially coastal states and New England, Kansas is an affordable place to live: The state cost of living is 86% of the U.S. average.
Thinking of moving to the Sunflower State? Here are the best affordable places in Kansas to live at different ages and life stages.
Best Places to Live in Kansas
Maybe you already live in Kansas and are hoping to relocate within the state, or perhaps you’re thinking about moving to Kansas for the first time. Either way, it’s important to research locations that meet your unique wants, needs, and budget. That’s why we’ve compiled multiple lists of the best places in Kansas to live. Here’s a closer look at the most affordable spots.
💡 Quick Tip: When house hunting, don’t forget to lock in your home mortgage loan rate so there are no surprises if your offer is accepted.
Best Affordable Places to Live in Kansas
Like many Midwestern states, Kansas offers an affordable state cost of living, though there are some highly sought after suburbs where costs are on the rise. If you’re trying to stick to a tight budget, these are among the best places in Kansas to live.
1. Wellington
Photo credit: iStock/BOB WESTON
Wellington, a small town south of Wichita, offers a number of great job opportunities, including careers in aviation, manufacturing, railroad services, and food processing. Despite its small size, Wellington offers residents on a budget plenty to do, including multiple museums and parks.
Population: 7,568
Median Household Income: $49,526
Cost of Living: 76.5% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $800
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 1.94
2. Salina
Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr
Close to the heart of Kansas, Salina offers an affordable place to live, with a cost of living that’s just 75.8% of the U.S. average. Looking for a job in Salina? The city is known for an abundance of manufacturing jobs. There’s plenty to do in the area, even if you’re on a tight budget; grownups may enjoy the Smoky Hill Museum, while the Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park is great for families.
If you’re thinking of buying and this is your first time navigating the housing market, check out a guide for first-time homebuyers before starting your search in Salina.
Population: 45,792
Median Household Income: $60,624
Cost of Living: 75.8% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,150
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.71
3. Pittsburg
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Sarah Runyon , Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
About two hours due south of Kansas City is the town of Pittsburg. Pittsburg offers a low cost of living, affordable housing, and plenty of employment opportunities across education and manufacturing (packing and plastics). You’ll still find a charming downtown in this old mining town, and there’s always good eats: Pittsburg is a part of Crawford County, the Fried Chicken Capital of the World.
Population: 20,504
Median Household Income: $40,220
Cost of Living: 77% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $850
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.09
Best Places to Live in Kansas for Families
Kansas is a wonderful state for families to move to. Across the state, you’ll find affordable housing, plenty of great parks and things to do, and a nice offering of community activities. Here are some of the best places to live in Kansas for families:
1. Andover
Andover is a great spot for families near Wichita. Almost a third of all of the town’s residents are under 18, and parents will like that there is an emphasis on education and lots of opportunities for kids to make friends. Andover’s parks and trails are a great way to get kids outside and stay active.
And the town is so affordable, you likely won’t have to investigate getting a jumbo mortgage loan to purchase a home.
Population: 15,814
Median Household Income: $106,676
Cost of Living: 83% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,800
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.00
2. Wichita
Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr
If your family likes to stay active, Wichita is a great city to move to. It offers so much for families to do, from museums and restaurants to parks and sports teams. And families on a budget will appreciate the city’s low home price-to-income ratio: 3.03, which makes it possible to buy a house for your family to enjoy for years to come.
Ready to purchase a house in Wichita? Check out a home loan help center to get started.
Population: 396,119
Median Household Income: $63,072
Cost of Living: 91.0% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,195
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.03
3. Dodge City
Photo credit: iStock/Steven White
There’s always something going on in Dodge City. This small town goes all out for holidays throughout the year. In the warmer months, families can enjoy weekends at the Dodge City Raceway Park, and for 10 days each summer, the city throws a huge festival, called Dodge City Days. Families will also likely appreciate Dodge City’s well-regarded school system and low cost of living.
Already own a home in Dodge City but want a more affordable monthly payment? See if a mortgage refinance is right for you.
Population: 27,514
Median Household Income: $67,958
Cost of Living: 81% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $995
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.96
Best Places to Live in Kansas for Young Adults
Young adults looking to settle down in the state of Kansas should consider one of these locations:
1. Wichita
Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr
Young professionals in search of a reliable job should add Wichita to their list for consideration. Wichita is home to multiple aircraft assembly and manufacturing, health care, and education jobs — and the McConnell Air Force Base is a huge employer. There’s always something to do in Wichita for young adults, whether that’s bars and clubs or festivals, concerts, and touring shows.
Ready to make an offer on a home in Wichita? Check out our tips to qualify for a mortgage.
Population: 396,119
Median Household Income: $63,072
Cost of Living: 91% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,195
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.03
2. Topeka
Photo credit: iStock/ChrisBoswell
The capital of Kansas, Topeka offers plenty of government jobs for recent college grads. Young adults in search of an active lifestyle will feel right at home in Topeka, which has a hot dining scene and lots of outdoor spaces to get out and enjoy some fresh air.
Population: 125,475
Median Household Income: $55,902
Cost of Living: 82% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $995
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.29
3. Dodge City
Photo credit: iStock/Steven White
With multiple festivals, an auto-racing track, and the annual 10-day Dodge City Days, Dodge City offers young adults plenty to do, even though it’s far from the major cities on the eastern side of the state. You’ll find ample restaurants, bars, and outdoor places to explore, and the city has plenty of job opportunities.
Population: 27,514
Median Household Income: $67,958
Cost of Living: 81% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $995
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.96
💡 Quick Tip: Not to be confused with prequalification, preapproval involves a longer application, documentation, and hard credit pulls. Ideally, you want to keep your applications for preapproval to within the same 14- to 45-day period, since many hard credit pulls outside the given time period can adversely affect your credit score, which in turn affects the mortgage terms you’ll be offered.
1. Salina
Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr
Salina has everything you could want in a place to retire: great community activities, several local golf courses, and a low cost of living. It’s also located at the intersection of two major interstates (I-70 and I-135), which is great if you plan to take lots of road trips during your golden years.
If you’d rather not get a mortgage in retirement, you can rent in Salina.
Population: 45,792
Median Household Income: $60,624
Cost of Living: 95.8% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,150
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.71
2. Wichita
Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr
Wichita is ideal for retirees: It has a low cost of living, it offers seniors plenty of activities, and it has its own airport — great if you want to travel the world during retirement. Wichita also has more than 100 parks, meaning there’s always somewhere new to explore.
Population: 396,119
Median Household Income: $63,072
Cost of Living: 91% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,195
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.03
3. Topeka
Photo credit: iStock/ChrisBoswell
As the seat of the Kansas government, Topeka is an interesting place for seniors to live. There’s plenty going on downtown, and history buffs will enjoy the capital city’s significance in overturning racial segregation in public schools. With a low cost of living, Topeka is great for retirees on a strict budget. Plus, it’s surrounded by ample lakes for those who enjoy spending their days boating, fishing, and hiking.
Population: 125,475
Median Household Income: $55,902
Cost of Living: 82% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $995
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.29
Best Places to Live in Kansas Near the Water
Kansas is a very flat state. Despite all the fields, however, Kansas offers a lot of geographically stunning locations, particularly near its lakes and rivers. Here are three of the best spots near the water:
1. Junction City
Photo credit: iStock/BOB WESTON
Fans of Milford Lake can get even closer to Kansas’ largest body of water by settling down in Junction City, just south of the lake. It’s also right where three major rivers converge: the Smoky Hill River, the Republican River, and the Kansas River. That means river kayaking and canoeing opportunities abound.
Population: 21,856
Median Household Income: $60,317
Cost of Living: 75% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $950
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.95
2. Topeka
Photo credit: iStock/ChrisBoswell
Topeka is an all-around great place to live in Kansas, but the capital city is particularly attractive for people who like to be near the water. The city itself is built along the river, and the Greater Topeka Partnership is currently working toward developing the riverfront area to be designed as a community space. But the city is also located close to several large lakes, including Lake Shawnee, Clinton Lake, and Perry Lake, meaning multiple opportunities for swimming, hiking, boating, hunting, and fishing.
Population: 125,475
Median Household Income: $55,902
Cost of Living: 82% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $995
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.29
3. El Dorado
Northeast of Wichita is the small town of El Dorado — and it truly is golden for anyone who likes to live near the water. El Dorado Lake and its state park offer ample outdoor family fun, including boating and fishing. The reservoir transformed this area when it was completed in 1981.
If you are thinking of buying a home in El Dorado, it can be wise to familiarize yourself with the different types of mortgage loans you might want to consider.
Population: 12,919
Median Household Income: $54,828
Cost of Living: 80% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $810
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.85
The Takeaway
No matter your needs, Kansas can be a great state to live in. Whether you’re a family looking for fun things to do, a young adult seeking a vibrant nightlife and job opportunities, a sports fan who wants a team to cheer on, or a retiree who needs a welcoming place to settle down, you’ll likely find a suitable spot in Kansas.
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FAQ
What is the cheapest place to live in Kansas?
One of the cheapest places to live in Kansas could be Junction City, with a cost of living that is 75% of the national average. It’s located just south of the state’s largest lake, making it a good spot for nature lovers.
What is the cost of living in Kansas?
The cost of living in Kansas is 84% of the U.S. average, meaning it’s considerably more affordable to live in the Sunflower State. Housing is 31% cheaper than the average in America, so it can be a good place to purchase a property. However, the cost of living can vary from city to city.
What salary can you live comfortably on in Kansas?
The salary you need to live comfortably in Kansas depends on several factors: the cost of living in the city you move to, your expenses (are you single? Do you have a family to support?), and other financial details (such as whether you have student loans or not). The median household income is just over $72,000, but if you live in a city with a low cost of living and don’t have too many other expenses or too much debt to manage, you can likely live comfortably with even less.
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