A+
19%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
42%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Atchison Kansas National
Cost of living8188100
Goods & Services8891100
Groceries9796100
Health care7894100
Housing5877100
Transportation8890100
Utilities9798100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Atchison, KS

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Atchison is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Atchison is 81, which is 19% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Atchison housing costs are 41.8% less than the national average, making this area an affordable place to live. Your net income can be heavily impacted by housing expenses, at times exceeding 30%. Fortunately, this area demonstrates that both homeownership and renting costs are significantly more budget-friendly than in the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, Atchison residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.

Everyday basics like clothes, personal care items and entertainment factor into your overall living costs. But here's the good news: in Atchison, these things are 11.9% more affordable than the national average. So, you can get what you need and have fun without emptying your wallet. With these savings, you can stash more money in your savings or put it towards other financial goals, ultimately improving your financial health.

Is Atchison Affordable?

Is Atchison affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Atchison, for instance, where the median home price falls 46% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 31.8% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Atchison flaunting a median household income of $72,556, 10.8% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Atchison?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Atchison, the transportation index is 12.2% lower than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Atchison, the housing index is 41.8% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Atchison, the utilities index stands at 2.8% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Atchison displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Atchison is 8% lower than the Kansas average
  • The cost of living in Atchison is 19% lower than the national average
  • Atchison housing is 42% lower than the national average
  • Kansas general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Kansas state income tax is 19% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Atchison

See all the best places to live around Atchison

Compare Atchison, KS Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$90,847$7,571$2,120$2,726
      Renters$41,025$3,419$957$1,231
      The affordability of the housing market in Atchison, KS as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Atchison homeowners, the median income is $90,847. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,120 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $41,025. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $957 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Kansas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Kansas 6.5% 11.5%

      Kansas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Kansas 3.1% 4.7%

      Goods & Services

      Item Atchison National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.07$27.6216.5%
      Beauty Salon $35.40$51.1130.7%
      Toothpaste $4.04$4.091.3%
      Shampoo $1.72$1.5411.5%
      Movie $11.36$12.8811.8%
      Yoga $15.33$19.6622.0%

      Groceries

      Item Atchison National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.59$7.701.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.54$1.667.4%
      Milk $4.77$4.730.8%
      Potatoes $5.55$5.265.6%
      Pizza $11.75$12.767.9%
      Beer $9.70$10.558.1%

      Health Care

      Item Atchison National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $93.87$140.0633.0%
      Doctor $101.09$153.8234.3%
      Dentist $111.53$123.159.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.52$11.731.8%
      Lipitor $15.48$23.6134.4%

      Housing

      Item Atchison National avg. Difference
      Home Price $176,265.00$326,622.0046.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,043.36$2,480.2517.6%
      Apartment Rent $985.00$1,444.0031.8%

      Transportation

      Item Atchison National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.79$3.068.7%
      Tire Balancing $51.70$65.2120.7%

      Utilities

      Item Atchison National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $204.87$220.126.9%
      Phone $203.94$195.714.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Iatan, MO16909.5%
      Huron, KS566931.2%
      Severance, KS797227.9%
      Rushville, MO2997525.2%
      Lancaster, KS3577722.9%
      Atchison, KS10,8638119.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Shelton, WA10,8581098.8%
      North Branch, MN10,8551011.3%
      Petal, MS10,8498910.9%
      Avon Park, FL10,8778713.2%
      Martin, TN10,8478911.2%
      Atchison, KS10,8638119.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.