Cost of Living in Smith County, Kansas
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Smith County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Smith County ranks #397 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 13%)
Sourced county brief
Smith County Median Rent Percentage Measured at 31.3 Percent
In Smith County, Kansas, the median gross rent as a percentage of household income among renter-occupied units is 31.3%. This official ACS B25071 Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) estimate is 6.7 percentage points higher than the Kansas unweighted county mean of 24.6%. The median gross rent in the county was estimated at $635 per month, which is $167 below the Kansas unweighted county mean of $802. For owner-occupied housing units, the median home value was recorded at $94,100, while the state unweighted county mean is $138,825. Selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units averaged a median of $692, which is $169 lower than the state unweighted mean of $861. The median renter-household income for the 2020-2024 period was $46,875. These statistics represent a snapshot of housing expenses and incomes as recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Smith County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 31.3% of renter household income in Smith County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $635 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $692. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $25,400 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Kansas unweighted mean of county median rents is $802 per month. Smith County's $635 median is 20.9% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Smith County
Rent Burden
12.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,380
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.0%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Smith County
Median home value is $94,100. Estimated monthly cost: $751 vs. your max of $1,380.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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 (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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