Great Bend 71 Excellent
Great Bend Livability #138 ranked city in Kansas#6,794 ranked city in the USARanks better than 76% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Great Bend

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.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • 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.

  • 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 Great Bend?

Great Bend is a mid-sized city located in the state of Kansas. The city has a population of 15,685 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (87% White). Given that fact, Great Bend could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Great Bend. With an average one way commute time of only 15 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Great Bend, Kansas could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. The best areas in Great Bend and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from health & safety, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Kansas and national averages.

Great Bend has a livability score of 68/100 and is ranked #182 in Kansas and #8,325 in the USA. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Great Bend has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Great Bend does not do well for the following: amenities (F), crime (D) and education (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The Great Bend unemployment rate of 2.5% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

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, Great Bend has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Great Bend is actually affordable. The median home price for Great Bend homes is $179,706, which is 27.2% lower than the Kansas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Great Bend, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 13.3% lower than the Kansas average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Great Bend

See all the best places to live around Great Bend

How Do You Rate The Livability In Great Bend?

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Compare Great Bend, KS Livability

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      Great Bend transportation information

      Statistic Great Bend Kansas National
      Average one way commute15min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.9%82.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.0%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.1%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home2.2%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Great Bend, 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.