A+
23%
Overall NAT. AVG.
15%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
54%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Arkansas City Kansas National
Cost of living7789100
Goods & Services8592100
Groceries9497100
Health care8497100
Housing4676100
Transportation9690100
Utilities100107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Arkansas City, KS

Understanding the cost of living in Arkansas City 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 Arkansas City cost of living index is 77, which is 23% 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.

Based on the most recent cost of living report, Arkansas City is one of the most affordable places to live in the country. Only a small number of cities have a cost of living index that is at least 20% lower than the national average, and Arkansas City is one of those cities. This signifies that this area is very affordable when compared to other cities.

Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Arkansas City stands out by reporting housing costs that are 53.9% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Arkansas City can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.

Everyday essentials such as clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment all contribute to your overall cost of living. The good news is that in Arkansas City, these goods and services come in at 15.1% less than the national average. This means you can enjoy the things you need and love without breaking the bank. With such savings, you have the opportunity to allocate more funds towards your savings or other financial goals, ultimately enhancing your financial well-being.

Is Arkansas City Affordable?

Wondering if Arkansas City is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Arkansas City, for example, the median home price is 63.8% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 30.8% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Arkansas City boasting a median household income of $46,331, which is 16.3% lower than the national average.

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

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Arkansas City starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 3.1%.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

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.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Arkansas City displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Arkansas City is 14% lower than the Kansas average
  • The cost of living in Arkansas City is 23% lower than the national average
  • Arkansas City housing is 54% 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 Arkansas City

See all the best places to live around Arkansas City

Compare Arkansas City, KS Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$56,615$4,718$1,321$1,699
      Renters$32,169$2,681$751$965
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Arkansas City is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Arkansas City has a median income of about $56,615 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,321 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $32,169. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $751 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Arkansas City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $17.33$24.2628.6%
      Beauty Salon $49.53$45.568.7%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.702.0%
      Shampoo $1.19$1.287.3%
      Movie $9.39$12.1322.6%
      Bowling $12.00$18.0033.3%

      Groceries

      Item Arkansas City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.07$5.8413.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.53$4.673.0%
      Potatoes $4.99$4.931.2%
      Pizza $11.32$12.096.3%
      Beer $9.83$10.415.6%

      Health Care

      Item Arkansas City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $119.00$125.685.3%
      Doctor $137.83$135.781.5%
      Dentist $127.37$113.2912.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.25$10.653.8%
      Lipitor $492.10$468.605.0%

      Housing

      Item Arkansas City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $66,900.00$184,700.0063.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,710.43$2,346.6927.1%
      Apartment Rent $657.00$949.0030.8%

      Transportation

      Item Arkansas City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.25$3.466.0%
      Tire Balancing $64.70$59.928.0%

      Utilities

      Item Arkansas City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $181.99$193.996.2%
      Phone $193.46$192.250.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Geuda Springs, KS1337029.7%
      Oxford, KS1,0468317.0%
      Newkirk, OK2,0587921.5%
      Winfield, KS11,9908019.8%
      Parkerfield, KS5188911.1%
      Arkansas City, KS11,7677722.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cantley, QC11,767n/a 
      Okmulgee, OK11,7687921.0%
      Freehold, NJ11,75512525.0%
      Richfield, WI11,78212020.1%
      Madison, IN11,783946.2%
      Arkansas City, KS11,7677722.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.