| Index | Arkansas City | Kansas | National |
| Cost of living | 81 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 46 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 94 | 93 | 100 |

The cost of living in Arkansas City affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Arkansas City is 81, which is 19% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Arkansas City stands out by reporting housing costs that are 54.1% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Arkansas City can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.
Is Arkansas City affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Arkansas City, the median home price is 63.7% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 31.8% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Arkansas City boasting a median household income of $69,601, 14.4% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Arkansas City, healthcare costs are 5.8% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Arkansas City, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and the income tax rates commence at 3.1%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Arkansas City are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $84,673 | $7,056 | $1,976 | $2,540 |
| Renters | $48,412 | $4,034 | $1,130 | $1,453 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Kansas | 6.5% | 11.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Kansas | 3.1% | 4.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Geuda Springs, KS | 136 | 75 | 25.4% |
| Oxford, KS | 1,087 | 82 | 18.4% |
| Newkirk, OK | 2,129 | 81 | 18.5% |
| Winfield, KS | 12,321 | 84 | 15.9% |
| Parkerfield, KS | 535 | 93 | 6.9% |
| Arkansas City, KS | 12,228 | 81 | 19.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lake Station, IN | 12,227 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Martinsville, IN | 12,230 | 88 | 12.3% |
| Blackfoot, ID | 12,225 | 96 | 4.4% |
| Dranesville, VA | 12,223 | 171 | 71.0% |
| Alum Rock, CA | 12,233 | 189 | 88.9% |
| Arkansas City, KS | 12,228 | 81 | 19.0% |