Colby 78 Exceptional
Colby Livability #31 ranked city in Kansas#2,704 ranked city in the USARanks better than 90% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Colby

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Schools Schools

    Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Colby?

Colby is a small city located in the state of Kansas. The city has a population of 5,598 inhabitants. The majority of Colby residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Colby is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Colby can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Kansas, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Colby and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, employment, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 75/100, Colby is ranked #3,408 in the United States and #44 in Kansas. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Colby could be a great choice! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Colby scores well for cost of living (A+), employment (B+) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Colby. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and education (D-).

The unemployment rate in Colby has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.1%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Colby market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Colby meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Colby. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Colby are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Colby come in at $226,610, which is 8.1% lower than the Kansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Colby, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 16.7% lower than the Kansas average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Colby

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Compare Colby, KS Livability

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      Colby transportation information

      Statistic Colby Kansas National
      Average one way commute15min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work85.5%82.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.8%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle2.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home2.5%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Colby, KS data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.