Cost of Living in Geary County, Kansas
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Geary County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Geary County ranks #3,110 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 1%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Geary County, Kansas
Geary County faces significant affordability stress
At 23.4%, Geary County's rent-to-income ratio far exceeds both the national standard and Kansas state average of 14.7%—a critical warning sign. Renters pay $1,119 monthly on just a $57,344 median household income, placing severe housing burden on local residents.
Kansas's least affordable rental market
Geary County ranks at the bottom of Kansas for housing affordability, with a 23.4% rent-to-income ratio—nearly 10 percentage points above the state average. At $1,119/month, rents are 42% higher than the Kansas median of $787, despite local incomes lagging state benchmarks.
Geary County rents dramatically higher
Geary County's $1,119 rent is by far the region's highest, exceeding Ellis County ($899) by $220 and Finney County ($991) by $128 monthly. This extreme gap reflects Geary's proximity to Fort Riley military base, which drives both demand and pricing up substantially.
Housing consumes excessive income share
Renters spend 23.4% of income on rent alone—well above the sustainable 30% threshold when combined with utilities and other costs. Homeowners fare similarly poorly at $1,202 monthly, creating a dual affordability crisis across both rental and owned housing.
Geary County demands careful financial planning
Geary County's extreme affordability stress makes it prohibitive for budget-conscious movers—housing costs consume nearly a quarter of income. If military connection or other factors require relocation here, expect to prioritize housing budgets and compare carefully to adjacent, more affordable counties.
Cost of Living Advisory: Geary County
Affordability Verdict
For renters in Geary County, the market is affordable. Expect to pay around $1,119/month in gross rent, with 26.0% of renter households considered cost-burdened.
Rent vs. Own
Renters in Geary County pay $1,119/month on average, compared to $1,202/month for homeowners. This market favors renters by about 7%.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $44,760/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $51,514/year. With a median household income of $57,344, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 26.0% of renter households in Geary County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within Kansas, Geary County is more affordable than Douglas County by roughly 5% ($1,119/mo vs $1,066/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Geary County
Rent Burden
23.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,338
per month
Owner Cost Burden
25.2%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Geary County
Median home value is $165,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,317 vs. your max of $1,338.
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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