Cost of Living in Clay Center, KS
Population 4,148 · Kansas · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Clay Center a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $134,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.6% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Clay Center lies roughly 80 miles west of the nearest major metro, Topeka — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Topeka's $131,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Clay Center
The median home value in Clay Center is $133,600 — 56% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $950/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,422/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.6%, below 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, Clay Center has a cost of living index of 55 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 45% less expensive.
Clay Center has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Clay Center, KS?
Clay Center has a cost index of 55 (100 = national average). It is 45% below the national average.
What is average rent in Clay Center, KS?
The median gross rent in Clay Center is $950 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Clay Center?
The median home value in Clay Center is $133,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Clay Center?
The median household income in Clay Center is $56,422 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Clay Center, KS?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Clay Center is 8.6%. The Kansas state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is Clay Center, KS affordable?
Yes, Clay Center is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 55 — about 45% below the US national average of 100.
Clay Center at a Glance
- Population
- 4,148
- Median Income
- $56,422
- Home Value
- $133,600
- Median Rent
- $950/mo
- Unemployment
- 1.6%
- Sales Tax
- 8.6%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Kansas Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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