The 67357 zip code in Parsons tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Kansas.
We looked at 92 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in Kansas
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parsons 🥇 | 100.0 | $78,606 | $1,376 |
| 2 | Liberal 🥈 | 98.2 | $144,570 | $1,376 |
| 3 | Coffeyville 🥉 | 93.4 | $82,563 | $1,376 |
| 4 | Garden City | 91.9 | $233,463 | $817 |
| 5 | McPherson | 90.5 | $217,158 | $1,376 |
| 6 | Independence | 89.5 | $114,263 | $1,376 |
| 7 | Emporia | 88.6 | $168,942 | $767 |
| 8 | Salina | 88.1 | $172,809 | $1,074 |
| 9 | Chanute | 87.9 | $96,595 | $1,376 |
| 10 | Newton | 85.0 | $170,184 | $846 |
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1. Parsons
Here's why the 67357 zip code in Parsons is Kansas's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Parsons
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $78,606[1] | No. 1 | -$211,845.96 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.4 | No. 1 | -2.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 21.7%[2] | No. 2 | -14.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.9%[3] | No. 1 | -2.9% |
| Rental costs | $1,376[4] | No. 37 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.68% | No. 30 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $56,438[5] | No. 75 | -$25,273 |
| Property taxes | $1,548[6] | No. 11 | -$1,604 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[7] | No. 72 | $0.00 |
Parsons's 67357 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Kansas, leading the 92 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $78,606, making it the 1st-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -1.9% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,376 per month, which is the 30th cheapest amount in Kansas.
The median property tax for homeowners in Parsons is $1,548 per household, the No. 11 ranked market in Kansas.
Residents pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 72 among Kansas markets.
2. Liberal
The 67901 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Kansas.
🔎 Key data about Liberal
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.2 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $144,570[8] | No. 16 | -$145,881.74 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.2 | No. 8 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 18.2%[9] | No. 1 | -17.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.3%[10] | No. 2 | -2.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,376[11] | No. 37 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.68% | No. 30 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $64,783[12] | No. 57 | -$16,928 |
| Property taxes | $2,283[13] | No. 27 | -$869 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[14] | No. 24 | $0.00 |
Liberal's 67901 zip code has a median home value of $144,570, which is the 2nd-cheapest housing market in Kansas. You can rent for an average of $1,376 per month. That's the 37th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $64,783, which ranks 57th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Liberal pay a median property tax of $2,283 per year, making it the 27th-most affordable market in Kansas.
Liberal ranks No. 24 among Kansas energy markets. You'll pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity.
3. Coffeyville
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Kansas is Coffeyville's 67337 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Coffeyville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 93.4 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $82,563[15] | No. 2 | -$207,888.46 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.6 | No. 2 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 34.0%[16] | No. 30 | -1.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.4%[17] | No. 4 | -1.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,376[18] | No. 37 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.68% | No. 30 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $51,500[19] | No. 84 | -$30,211 |
| Property taxes | $1,375[20] | No. 6 | -$1,777 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[21] | No. 22 | -$0.01 |
The No. 2 cheapest housing market in Kansas is Coffeyville's 67337 zip code, with a median home value of $82,563. Rents in the market average $1,376 per month, making it the 37th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Coffeyville is $1,375, which makes it the 6th-cheapest place in Kansas. Coffeyville ranks No. 22 among Kansas markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.13 per kWh of electricity.
4. Garden City
The 67846 zip code in Garden City comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Kansas.
🔎 Key data about Garden City
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 91.9 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $233,463[22] | No. 40 | -$56,988.77 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.2 | No. 45 | -0.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 25.1%[23] | No. 5 | -10.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.7%[24] | No. 3 | -1.7% |
| Rental costs | $817[25] | No. 3 | -$559 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.12% | No. 4 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $73,218[26] | No. 45 | -$8,493 |
| Property taxes | $2,884[27] | No. 45 | -$268 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[28] | No. 21 | -$0.01 |
The No. 40 cheapest housing market in Kansas is Garden City's 67846 zip code, where the median home value is $233,463. Renters here pay an average of $817 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Garden City ranks 21st among Kansas markets. Residents pay $0.13 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $2,884, which makes it the 45th-cheapest market in Kansas.
5. McPherson
The 67460 zip code in McPherson ranks No. 5 among Kansas's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about McPherson
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.5 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $217,158[29] | No. 39 | -$73,293.84 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.7 | No. 20 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 26.9%[30] | No. 8 | -8.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1%[31] | No. 6 | -0.9% |
| Rental costs | $1,376[32] | No. 37 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.68% | No. 30 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $80,720[33] | No. 37 | -$991 |
| Property taxes | $3,126[34] | No. 52 | -$26 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[35] | No. 1 | -$0.02 |
McPherson's 67460 zip code has a median home value of $217,158, the 39th-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a 0.1% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in McPherson is $3,126. It's the 52nd-cheapest market by tax rate in Kansas.
6. Independence
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Kansas is the 67301 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Independence
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 89.5 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $114,263[36] | No. 7 | -$176,188.68 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.1 | No. 6 | -1.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 37.5%[37] | No. 47 | 1.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.3%[38] | No. 5 | -1.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,376[39] | No. 37 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.68% | No. 30 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $54,950[40] | No. 78 | -$26,761 |
| Property taxes | $1,905[41] | No. 19 | -$1,247 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[42] | No. 72 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Independence's 67301 zip code, which has the 7th-cheapest home values in Kansas. The median home value is $114,263. Rents average $1,376 per month, making it the 37th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity. It's the 72nd-cheapest energy market.
7. Emporia
Emporia's 66801 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Kansas.
🔎 Key data about Emporia
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.6 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $168,942[43] | No. 26 | -$121,510.06 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.0 | No. 37 | -0.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 30.7%[44] | No. 13 | -5.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.4%[45] | No. 7 | -0.6% |
| Rental costs | $767[46] | No. 2 | -$609 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.35% | No. 9 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $56,794[47] | No. 74 | -$24,917 |
| Property taxes | $2,456[48] | No. 34 | -$696 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[49] | No. 75 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 26th-cheapest home values in Kansas in Emporia's 66801 zip code. The median value: $168,942. Renters in Emporia pay an average of $767 per month.
Homeowners in Emporia pay a median property tax of $2,456 per year, which is Kansas's 34th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $56,794, which ranks 74th-highest in the state.
8. Salina
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Kansas is Salina's 67401 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Salina
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.1 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $172,809[50] | No. 28 | -$117,642.96 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.7 | No. 18 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 31.0%[51] | No. 14 | -4.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.5%[52] | No. 8 | -0.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,074[53] | No. 18 | -$302 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.66% | No. 28 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $64,606[54] | No. 58 | -$17,105 |
| Property taxes | $2,398[55] | No. 29 | -$754 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[56] | No. 75 | $0.00 |
The 28th-cheapest housing market in Kansas is Salina's 67401 zip code, with a median home value of $172,809. Renters pay an average of $1,074 per month, the No. 18 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Salina is $2,398, which makes it the 29th-cheapest place in Kansas. The average household income of $64,606 ranks 58th.
9. Chanute
Chanute's 66720 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Kansas's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Chanute
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 87.9 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $96,595[57] | No. 5 | -$193,856.45 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.7 | No. 3 | -1.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 33.7%[58] | No. 28 | -2.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.0%[59] | No. 51 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,376[60] | No. 37 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.68% | No. 30 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $56,911[61] | No. 72 | -$24,800 |
| Property taxes | $1,462[62] | No. 8 | -$1,690 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[63] | No. 32 | $0.00 |
The 5th-cheapest housing market in Kansas is Chanute's 66720 zip code, where the median home value is $96,595. Renters pay an average of $1,376 per month. It's the state's 37th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $1,462, which makes it the 8th-cheapest property tax rate in Kansas.
10. Newton
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Kansas goes to the 67114 zip code in Newton.
🔎 Key data about Newton
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 92 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 85.0 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $170,184[64] | No. 27 | -$120,267.75 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.4 | No. 12 | -1.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 40.1%[65] | No. 64 | 4.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.6%[66] | No. 64 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $846[67] | No. 4 | -$530 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.21% | No. 7 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $70,018[68] | No. 52 | -$11,693 |
| Property taxes | $2,625[69] | No. 41 | -$527 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[70] | No. 41 | $0.00 |
The 27th-most affordable market in Kansas is Newton's 67114 zip code. The median home value is $170,184. Rent in the market costs $846 per month on average, making it the 4th-most affordable rental market in Kansas.
The median property tax for households in Newton is $2,625, which is the 41st-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Newton ranks No. 41 among Kansas markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.14 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Kansas
We evaluated 92 zip codes in Kansas with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Kansas, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 28.0% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 10.0% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 8.0% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 7.0% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 5.0% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 17.0% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Kansas average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Kansas average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
