| Index | Great Bend | Kansas | National |
| Cost of living | 85 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 60 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 91 | 93 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Great Bend? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Great Bend 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.
It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Great Bend stands out by reporting housing costs that are 40.1% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.
Is Great Bend affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Great Bend, the median home price is 45% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 28.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Great Bend boasting a median household income of $69,571, 14.5% lower than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Great Bend, the housing index stands at 40.1% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Great Bend, healthcare costs are 4.3% lower than the national average.
The Great Bend cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $87,190 | $7,266 | $2,034 | $2,616 |
| Renters | $44,620 | $3,718 | $1,041 | $1,339 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Kansas | 6.5% | 11.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Kansas | 3.1% | 4.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Radium, KS | 7 | 96 | 3.9% |
| Olmitz, KS | 57 | 72 | 27.6% |
| Otis, KS | 327 | 73 | 26.9% |
| Albert, KS | 141 | 76 | 24.1% |
| Pawnee Rock, KS | 324 | 77 | 23.4% |
| Great Bend, KS | 15,685 | 85 | 14.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Clarksdale, MS | 15,683 | 81 | 19.4% |
| Mineral Wells, TX | 15,683 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Bemidji, MN | 15,682 | 95 | 5.4% |
| Beech Grove, IN | 15,679 | 88 | 11.7% |
| West Hants, NS | 15,678 | n/a | |
| Great Bend, KS | 15,685 | 85 | 14.8% |