Cost of Living in Gardner, KS

Population 24,020 · Kansas · Data vintage 2023

94
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 Gardner a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $276,000.

Located 8 miles southwest of Olathe, Gardner falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Olathe's $341,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 90
Rent 99

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

About the Cost of Living in Gardner

The median home value in Gardner is $276,000 — 10% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,296/month, 1% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $92,579/year is 24% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 65.6°F and lows of 44.6°F. Overall, Gardner has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$276,000
10% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$350,314
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,296/mo
1% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,518/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7x
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 67.3%
Renter-occupied 32.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,296
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,910/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
25.4 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.7%
Carpooled
7.5%
Walked
0.5%
Work from home
13.5%

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
$92,579
24% above avg
Per Capita Income
$36,710
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
16% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor Force Participation
78.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.5%
Graduate degree 9.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.3
Male median age 30.9
Female median age 31.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
65.6°F
Avg Low
44.6°F
Annual Precip
37.5"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394456667585898880685443
Low °F 202434445464686758463424
Precip" 1.051.502.313.765.085.264.213.953.743.271.911.50

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
51.8%
Good air days/yr
165
Max AQI recorded
210
PM2.5 days
148
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
6,173
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Gardner, KS?

Gardner has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Gardner, KS?

The median gross rent in Gardner is $1,296 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Gardner?

The median home value in Gardner is $276,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Gardner?

The median household income in Gardner is $92,579 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Gardner, KS?

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

Is Gardner, KS affordable?

Gardner is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Gardner?

Gardner has average high temperatures of 65.6°F and average lows of 44.6°F. Annual precipitation is 37.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Gardner at a Glance

Population
24,020
Median Income
$92,579
Home Value
$276,000
Median Rent
$1,296/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
65.6°F
Sales Tax
8.6%
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