Emporia 75 Excellent
Emporia Livability #58 ranked city in Kansas#3,725 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Emporia

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Employment Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

  • Schools Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Emporia?

Emporia, Kansas is a mid-sized city with a population of 25,435 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Emporia is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Emporia are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 18% of the population also speak Spanish. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Emporia residents is 29. Emporia is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 47%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Emporia is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 13 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Emporia, Kansas. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Emporia and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, education, housing and other important metrics.

Emporia has a livability score of 74 out of 100 and is ranked #60 in Kansas and #4,130 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we see that Emporia ranks very well for amenities (B-) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Emporia ranks poorly for, including: crime (F), education (F) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

If you're living in Emporia, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Emporia an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Emporia has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Assuming that Emporia 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 Emporia. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Emporia are simply unattainable. The median home price for Emporia homes is $177,520, which is 28% lower than the Kansas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Emporia, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 10% lower than the Kansas average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Emporia

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Emporia?

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Compare Emporia, KS Livability

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      Emporia transportation information

      Statistic Emporia Kansas National
      Average one way commute13min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.1%82.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.1%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.1%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home3.0%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Emporia, 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.