Cost of Living in Edwards County, Kansas
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Edwards County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Edwards County ranks #1,556 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 49%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Edwards County, Kansas
Edwards balances modest costs and wages
Edwards County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio matches Comanche's and slightly exceeds Kansas's 14.7% state average, reflecting the affordability challenges of rural Kansas. A median household income of $53,792 combined with $732 monthly rents creates modest but manageable housing burdens.
Mid-tier Kansas affordability
Edwards's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio and $732 monthly rent position it solidly in rural Kansas's middle ground—below the state average on rent but above it on rent-to-income burden. This reflects the core Kansas challenge: reasonable rents paired with limited local wages.
Affordable renting, exceptional home values
Edwards's $732 monthly rent sits comfortably below Crawford ($837) and Cowley ($779), while its $70,500 median home value ranks second-lowest after Decatur's $78,500. This affordability on both fronts makes Edwards attractive for renters and first-time buyers alike.
Ownership costs stay refreshingly low
Edwards renters spend 16.3% of their $53,792 income on $732 monthly rent, while homeowners allocate just 11.5% to $515 monthly costs. This dramatic gap—the survey's most favorable owner-to-renter ratio—reflects Edwards's exceptional home affordability and low ownership burdens.
Most attainable homeownership option
Edwards County delivers Kansas's lowest monthly ownership costs ($515) and second-lowest home values ($70,500), making it unbeatable for buyers seeking to minimize housing expenses. If building equity quickly matters more than urban amenities, Edwards outperforms every surveyed county.
Cost of Living Advisory: Edwards County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Edwards County is affordable. The median rent is $732/month against a median household income of $53,792, putting rent at 16.3% of income.
Rent vs. Own
The median rent in Edwards County is $732/month, while owner costs run $515/month. Owning saves approximately $217/month.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $29,280/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $22,071/year. With a median household income of $53,792, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 25.0% of renter households in Edwards County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Bourbon County where rent averages $784/month, Edwards County is approximately 7% less expensive.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Edwards County
Rent Burden
16.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,255
per month
Owner Cost Burden
11.5%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Edwards County
Median home value is $70,500. Estimated monthly cost: $563 vs. your max of $1,255.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
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.
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