Cost of Living in Butler County, Kansas
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Butler County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Butler County, Kansas
Butler County commands Kansas's highest prices
Butler County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% matches national affordability benchmarks, but rents of $984 and mortgages of $1,224 run 40%+ above national medians. Higher household incomes of $80,375 support these costs, yet Butler demands significantly steeper housing investments than peer counties.
Butler County premium above state norms
At 14.7%, Butler's rent-to-income ratio exactly matches the Kansas state average, yet its $984 median rent towers 25% above the state median of $787. Butler represents Kansas's most expensive rental market, reflecting strong local incomes and likely proximity to urban El Dorado/Wichita.
Butler rents dwarf surrounding counties
Butler's $984 monthly rent and $1,224 mortgage payments exceed all peer counties by $190+ for rent and $300+ for mortgages. Median home values of $199,600 nearly double Brown County's $111,100, positioning Butler as Kansas's premium housing market in this analysis.
Butler County's premium housing economy
Butler households earning $80,375 invest $984 monthly in rent (14.7% of income) or $1,224 in mortgages (18.2% of income), the highest proportional mortgage burden analyzed. Home values averaging $199,600 reflect a fundamentally different housing market—closer to suburban Kansas City dynamics than rural Kansas norms.
Butler County suits higher earners only
Consider Butler County if your household income exceeds $80,000 and you seek Kansas's most developed urban amenities and housing stock. For renters and modest earners, Brown, Bourbon, or Allen offer superior affordability; Butler requires premium earning power to feel financially comfortable.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Butler County
Rent Burden
14.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,875
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.3%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Butler County
Median home value is $199,600. Estimated monthly cost: $1,593 vs. your max of $1,875.
Rent Affordability Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.