Cost of Living in Liberal, KS
Population 19,107 · Kansas · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Liberal a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $135,000.
Located 135 miles northeast of Amarillo, Liberal is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 28% lower than Amarillo's $187,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Liberal
The median home value in Liberal is $134,500 — 56% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $931/month, 29% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $61,875/year is 17% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, 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, Liberal has a cost of living index of 55 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 45% 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 Liberal, KS?
Liberal has a cost index of 55 (100 = national average). It is 45% below the national average.
What is average rent in Liberal, KS?
The median gross rent in Liberal is $931 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Liberal?
The median home value in Liberal is $134,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Liberal?
The median household income in Liberal is $61,875 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Liberal, KS?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Liberal is 8.6%. The Kansas state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is Liberal, KS affordable?
Yes, Liberal is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 55 — about 45% below the US national average of 100.
Liberal at a Glance
- Population
- 19,107
- Median Income
- $61,875
- Home Value
- $134,500
- Median Rent
- $931/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.1%
- Sales Tax
- 8.6%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Kansas Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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