A+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
42%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Emporia Kansas National
Cost of living8589100
Goods & Services9492100
Groceries9797100
Health care10397100
Housing5876100
Transportation9490100
Utilities109107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Emporia, KS

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Emporia? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Emporia stands at 85, making it 15% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Emporia housing costs are 42.2% 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, Emporia residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.

Is Emporia Affordable?

Wondering if Emporia is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Emporia, for example, the median home price is 46.8% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 31.5% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Emporia boasting a median household income of $43,481, which is 21.4% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Emporia?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Emporia, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and income tax rates kick off at 3.1%.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Emporia cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Emporia is 4% lower than the Kansas average
  • The cost of living in Emporia is 15% lower than the national average
  • Emporia 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 Emporia

See all the best places to live around Emporia

Compare Emporia, 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$66,008$5,501$1,540$1,980
      Renters$28,051$2,338$654$842
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Emporia, KS, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Emporia homeowners, is $66,008. This would allow for a maximum of $1,540 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $28,051 which would result in a maximum of $654 to be spent on rental 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 Emporia National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.33$24.2620.3%
      Beauty Salon $35.67$45.5621.7%
      Toothpaste $3.78$3.702.1%
      Shampoo $1.39$1.288.3%
      Movie $12.33$12.131.6%
      Bowling $25.50$18.0041.7%

      Groceries

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.82$5.840.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.60$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $4.82$4.932.4%
      Pizza $10.66$12.0911.8%
      Beer $9.84$10.415.5%

      Health Care

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $161.83$125.6828.8%
      Doctor $145.83$135.787.4%
      Dentist $107.83$113.294.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.41$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $489.17$468.604.4%

      Housing

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      Home Price $98,200.00$184,700.0046.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,889.49$2,346.6919.5%
      Apartment Rent $650.00$949.0031.5%

      Transportation

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.7%
      Tire Balancing $59.17$59.921.3%

      Utilities

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $217.21$193.9912.0%
      Phone $201.59$192.254.9%
      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.
      Dunlap, KS49972.9%
      Reading, KS1657722.9%
      Hartford, KS3388020.4%
      Neosho Rapids, KS3658020.0%
      Americus, KS9178515.4%
      Emporia, KS24,6318514.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Riverbank, CA24,62312625.5%
      Mill Creek East, WA24,64316868.3%
      Chestermere, AB24,643n/a 
      Medford, NY24,61313534.7%
      Sandusky, OH24,6518415.9%
      Emporia, KS24,6318514.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.