A+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
13%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Garden City Kansas National
Cost of living9390100
Groceries9797100
Health care9696100
Housing8777100
Transportation9796100
Utilities9795100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9594100
Household Items9997100
Education & Childcare9193100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Garden City, KS

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Garden City? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Garden City stands at 93, making it 7% 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.

The cost of living in Garden City aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Garden City residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Garden City?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 11 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Garden City. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 9% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 91% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Garden City Affordable?

Is Garden City an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Garden City is 13.5% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 11.5% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Garden City has a median household income of $82,519, which is 1.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Garden City?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Garden City, the transportation index is 3.4% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Garden City, the healthcare costs are 4.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Garden City cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Garden City is 4% higher than the Kansas average
  • The cost of living in Garden City is 7% lower than the national average
  • Garden City housing is 13% 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 Garden City

See all the best places to live around Garden City

Compare Garden City, KS Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$110,264$9,189$2,573$3,308
      Renters$67,293$5,608$1,570$2,019
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Garden City, KS, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Garden City, homeowners have a median income of $110,264. Using that number, a maximum of $2,573 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $67,293, which means there is a maximum of $1,570 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Deerfield, KS8797920.6%
      Holcomb, KS2,416937.4%
      Garden City, KS27,354936.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pearl, MS27,3529010.1%
      Bayonet Point, FL27,360937.2%
      Xenia, OH27,3738613.9%
      Paramus, NJ27,33017372.8%
      Cabot, AR27,309946.1%
      Garden City, KS27,354936.6%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.