A+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
40%
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 Great Bend Kansas National
Cost of living8589100
Goods & Services9492100
Groceries10097100
Health care10497100
Housing6076100
Transportation8690100
Utilities106107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Great Bend, KS

Understanding the cost of living in Great Bend 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 Great Bend cost of living index is 85, which is 15% 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.

Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Great Bend are 40.2% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.

Is Great Bend Affordable?

Wondering if Great Bend 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 Great Bend, for example, the median home price is 44.9% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 29.4% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Great Bend boasting a median household income of $46,659, which is 15.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Great Bend?

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 Great Bend starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 3.1%.

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 3.8% higher 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.

Where is the Data From?

The Great Bend cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Great Bend is 4% lower than the Kansas average
  • The cost of living in Great Bend is 15% lower than the national average
  • Great Bend housing is 40% 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 Great Bend

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Compare Great Bend, KS Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      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$59,575$4,965$1,390$1,787
      Renters$29,829$2,486$696$895
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Great Bend 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. Great Bend has a median income of about $59,575 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,390 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $29,829. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $696 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 Great Bend National avg. Difference
      Haircut $15.84$24.2634.7%
      Beauty Salon $30.99$45.5632.0%
      Toothpaste $3.68$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.17$1.288.9%
      Movie $12.89$12.136.2%
      Bowling $12.54$18.0030.3%

      Groceries

      Item Great Bend National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.70$5.842.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.2%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.4%
      Potatoes $4.96$4.930.5%
      Pizza $12.15$12.090.6%
      Beer $9.86$10.415.3%

      Health Care

      Item Great Bend National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $221.30$125.6876.1%
      Doctor $147.70$135.788.8%
      Dentist $94.01$113.2917.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.49$10.651.6%
      Lipitor $526.83$468.6012.4%

      Housing

      Item Great Bend National avg. Difference
      Home Price $101,800.00$184,700.0044.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,613.36$2,346.6931.2%
      Apartment Rent $670.00$949.0029.4%

      Transportation

      Item Great Bend National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.05$3.4611.8%
      Tire Balancing $49.15$59.9218.0%

      Utilities

      Item Great Bend National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $207.69$193.997.1%
      Phone $200.29$192.254.2%
      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.
      Radium, KS7963.6%
      Olmitz, KS557327.3%
      Otis, KS3167326.8%
      Albert, KS1387623.8%
      Pawnee Rock, KS3127723.3%
      Great Bend, KS15,2248514.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hudson, MA15,22213535.3%
      West Lincoln, ON15,222n/a 
      Canmore, AB15,222n/a 
      Hartford, WI15,2281011.1%
      Lake Country, BC15,217n/a 
      Great Bend, KS15,2248514.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.