Cost of Living in Junction City, KS

Population 22,431 · Kansas · Data vintage 2023

63
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Junction City 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.

Located 60 miles west of Topeka, Junction City is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 24% higher than Topeka's $131,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 53
Rent 78

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

About the Cost of Living in Junction City

The median home value in Junction City is $162,500 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,019/month, 22% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,317/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, 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, Junction City has a cost of living index of 63 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 37% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$162,500
47% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$205,066
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,019/mo
22% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,229/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3x
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 49.0%
Renter-occupied 51.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,019
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,633/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
20.7 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.4%
Carpooled
12.4%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
1.4%
Bicycle
0.6%
Work from home
4.5%

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
$60,317
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,221
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
5% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Labor Force Participation
72.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.1%
Graduate degree 8.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 28.4
Male median age 27.6
Female median age 29.7

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

85%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
16
Public schools
7,463
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Junction City has a cost index of 63 (100 = national average). It is 37% below the national average.

What is average rent in Junction City, KS?

The median gross rent in Junction City is $1,019 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Junction City?

The median home value in Junction City is $162,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Junction City?

The median household income in Junction City is $60,317 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Junction City, KS?

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

Is Junction City, KS affordable?

Yes, Junction City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 63 — about 37% below the US national average of 100.

Junction City at a Glance

Population
22,431
Median Income
$60,317
Home Value
$162,500
Median Rent
$1,019/mo
Unemployment
5.1%
Sales Tax
8.6%
View all cities in Kansas →
🗺️ County data for Kansas

Explore county-level cost of living data

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