Cost of Living in Wallace County, Kansas

$578/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$94,200
Median Home Value
27% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$578/mo
27% below state average
Median Home Value
$94,200
67% below national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
16.0%
% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating
Unaffordable
Rent over 50% of income

How Wallace County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Wallace County$578/mo
Kansas Average$787/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$578/mo
Median Gross Rent
$94,200
Median Home Value
$679/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
16.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Wallace County, Kansas

Wallace County: Deep Rural Affordability

At 11.5% of income, Wallace County delivers exceptional rental affordability despite a median household income of $60,263—14% below the national median of $74,755. Lower incomes here pair with equally modest housing costs, creating genuine purchasing power.

Best-in-State Affordability for Lower Incomes

Wallace County's 11.5% rent-to-income ratio beats the Kansas state average of 14.7%, remarkable given its below-average household income. At $578/month, median rent runs $209 below the state average, reflecting deep rural affordability.

Western Kansas's Most Budget-Friendly

Wallace County's $578 rent significantly undercuts Thomas County ($753) and rivals Trego County ($694), positioning it as western Kansas's most affordable rental market. Its median home value of $94,200 also represents entry-level homeownership for modest earners.

Maximum Affordability for Working Families

At $578 monthly rent and $679 monthly owner costs against a $60,263 income, Wallace County residents allocate only 12% to rent and 13% to ownership. This exceptional ratio allows working families to save and invest despite lower absolute wages.

Rural Retreat for Modest Budgets

If you're relocating from a high-cost area to stretch a modest income further, Wallace County delivers western Kansas's deepest affordability gains. Compare its rent and home values against your current market to quantify your potential savings.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Wallace County

$

Rent Burden

11.5%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,406

per month

Owner Cost Burden

13.5%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Wallace County

Median home value is $94,200. Estimated monthly cost: $752 vs. your max of $1,406.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio11.5%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wallace County, Kansas?
Wallace County, Kansas has a median monthly rent of $578/mo and a median home value of $94,200. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 16.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Wallace County?
The median gross rent in Wallace County is $578/mo. This is 27% below state average for Kansas.
Is Wallace County affordable?
Wallace County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 16.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Wallace County's rent compare to the state average?
Wallace County's median rent of $578/mo is 27% below state average of $787/mo for Kansas.
What is the median home value in Wallace County?
The median home value in Wallace County, Kansas is $94,200. This is 67% below the national median home value of $281,900.
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.