Cost of Living in Baxter Springs, KS

Population 3,863 · Kansas · Data vintage 2023

41
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Baxter Springs is a smaller Kansas community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $60,139 and housing costs ($88,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 80 miles west of Springfield, Baxter Springs is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 47% lower than Springfield's $165,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 29
Rent 60

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

About the Cost of Living in Baxter Springs

The median home value in Baxter Springs is $87,600 — 71% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $792/month, 40% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,139/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.2%, 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, Baxter Springs has a cost of living index of 41 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 59% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$87,600
71% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$179,775
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$792/mo
40% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.2x
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 71.8%
Renter-occupied 28.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$792
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,406/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
21.2 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.0%
Carpooled
7.0%
Walked
3.0%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
4.4%

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
$60,139
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,516
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
9% above avg
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Labor Force Participation
66.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.4%
Graduate degree 2.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.2
Male median age 41
Female median age 37.4

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
935
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Baxter Springs, KS?

Baxter Springs has a cost index of 41 (100 = national average). It is 59% below the national average.

What is average rent in Baxter Springs, KS?

The median gross rent in Baxter Springs is $792 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Baxter Springs?

The median home value in Baxter Springs is $87,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Baxter Springs?

The median household income in Baxter Springs is $60,139 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Baxter Springs, KS?

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

Is Baxter Springs, KS affordable?

Yes, Baxter Springs is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 41 — about 59% below the US national average of 100.

Baxter Springs at a Glance

Population
3,863
Median Income
$60,139
Home Value
$87,600
Median Rent
$792/mo
Unemployment
5.2%
Sales Tax
8.6%
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🗺️ County data for Kansas

Explore county-level cost of living data

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