Cost of Living in El Dorado, KS
Population 12,882 · Kansas · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
El Dorado sits on the smaller end of the Kansas city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 21% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
El Dorado is about 30 miles east of Wichita, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 37% lower than Wichita's $180,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in El Dorado
The median home value in El Dorado is $113,800 — 63% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $877/month, 33% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $54,828/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, 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, El Dorado has a cost of living index of 49 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% less expensive.
🏠 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 El Dorado, KS?
El Dorado has a cost index of 49 (100 = national average). It is 51% below the national average.
What is average rent in El Dorado, KS?
The median gross rent in El Dorado is $877 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in El Dorado?
The median home value in El Dorado is $113,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in El Dorado?
The median household income in El Dorado is $54,828 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in El Dorado, KS?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in El Dorado is 8.6%. The Kansas state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is El Dorado, KS affordable?
Yes, El Dorado is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 49 — about 51% below the US national average of 100.
El Dorado at a Glance
- Population
- 12,882
- Median Income
- $54,828
- Home Value
- $113,800
- Median Rent
- $877/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.5%
- Sales Tax
- 8.6%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Kansas Rankings
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