Cost of Living in Baldwin City, KS

Population 4,881 · Kansas · Data vintage 2023

79
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Baldwin City a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $242,000.

Baldwin City sits roughly 20 miles west of Olathe — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 29% lower than Olathe's $341,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 79
Rent 78

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Baldwin City

The median home value in Baldwin City is $242,100 — 21% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,020/month, 22% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $81,838/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. Kansas's top state income tax rate is 5.7% and the combined sales tax is 8.6%. Overall, Baldwin City has a cost of living index of 79 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 21% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$242,100
21% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$193,827
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,020/mo
22% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$625
1 BR
$695
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,158
4 BR
$1,257
Owner-occupied 68.6%
Renter-occupied 31.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,020
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,634/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
27.4 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.1%
Carpooled
5.1%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
10.6%
Work from home
14.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.7%
Total Sales Tax 8.6%
State rate 6.5%
Avg local rate 2.1%
Property Tax 1.4%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$81,838
10% above avg
Per Capita Income
$35,896
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
14% above avg
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Labor Force Participation
60.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.8%
Graduate degree 14.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 29.9
Male median age 26.4
Female median age 35.2

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,390
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Baldwin City, KS?

Baldwin City has a cost index of 79 (100 = national average). It is 21% below the national average.

What is average rent in Baldwin City, KS?

The median gross rent in Baldwin City is $1,020 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Baldwin City?

The median home value in Baldwin City is $242,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Baldwin City?

The median household income in Baldwin City is $81,838 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Baldwin City, KS?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Baldwin City is 8.6%. The Kansas state income tax top rate is 5.7%.

Is Baldwin City, KS affordable?

Yes, Baldwin City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 79 — about 21% below the US national average of 100.

Baldwin City at a Glance

Population
4,881
Median Income
$81,838
Home Value
$242,100
Median Rent
$1,020/mo
Unemployment
5.5%
Sales Tax
8.6%
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🗺️ County data for Kansas

Explore county-level cost of living data

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