| Index | Liberal | Kansas | National |
| Cost of living | 90 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 67 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 105 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 93 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Liberal can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Liberal cost of living index is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 5 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Liberal. The results indicated that 20% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 80% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Liberal an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Liberal, the median home price is 38.9% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 19.1% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Liberal come in at $71,782, which is 11.7% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Liberal, the groceries index is 1.5% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Liberal, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and income tax rates begin at 3.1%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Liberal are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $84,724 | $7,060 | $1,977 | $2,542 |
| Renters | $61,203 | $5,100 | $1,428 | $1,836 |
| 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. |
| Tyrone, OK | 1,071 | 83 | 17.5% |
| Turpin, OK | 287 | 85 | 15.4% |
| Kismet, KS | 393 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Liberal, KS | 19,510 | 90 | 10.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Highland, UT | 19,513 | 160 | 59.8% |
| Madisonville, KY | 19,522 | 89 | 11.1% |
| Salmon Arm, BC | 19,494 | n/a | |
| Valle Vista, CA | 19,530 | 115 | 15.4% |
| Sherrelwood, CO | 19,531 | 123 | 22.6% |
| Liberal, KS | 19,510 | 90 | 10.3% |
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