Real Estate Blog

Kansas has plenty to offer its residents – from the beautiful prairies and expansive fields, to the state’s rich history and warm hospitality. If you’re considering living somewhere in Kansas then chances are you also have a budget you’re hoping to stay under in your home or apartment search. As of July, the median home sale price in Kansas is $276,300. 

If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry, we’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected a list of 4 of the most affordable places to live in Kansas – and they all have a median home sale price under $276,300. From Topeka to Wichita, find out which cities made the list.

capitol building in topeka kansas

#1: Topeka

Median home price: $144,450 
Average sale price per square foot: $48 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $800 
Median household income: $49,647 
Nearest major metro: Kansas City (60 miles)
Topeka, KS homes for sale
Topeka, KS apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $144,450, Topeka comes in at number one on our list of most affordable places to live in Kansas. There are about 126,600 residents living in this mid-sized city.  Living in Topeka, you can visit the Kansas State Capitol, discover the local history at Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site and Botanical Garden, explore the Combat Air Museum, and stroll through the Topeka Zoo where you can enjoy nature and see the animals.

#2: Kansas City

Median home price: $194,250 
Average sale price per square foot: $152 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $914 
Median household income: $46,424 
Nearest major metro: Kansas City, MO (4 miles)
Kansas City, KS homes for sale
Kansas City, KS apartments for rent

Kansas City takes the second spot on our list of affordable cities to live in Kansas. When living in this city of 156,600 people, you can visit the Kansas Speedway, shop at the Legends Outlets Kansas City, discover the Schlitterbahn Kansas City Water Park, and enjoy a game or event at Children’s Mercy Park. You can also take a short drive over to Kansas City, Missouri, where you’ll find plenty to do and see as well.

wichita kansas downtown at night_Getty

#3: Wichita

Median home price: $215,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $120 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $764 
Median household income: $53,466 
Nearest major metro: Topeka (140 miles)
Wichita, KS homes for sale
Wichita, KS apartments for rent

The median home sale price for our third city, Wichita, is $215,000 which is about $60K less than the median home sale price in Kansas. There are about 397,500 residents in the city, making it the largest city in the state. Make sure to visit the Sedgwick County Zoo, explore Botanica, the Wichita Gardens, discover the exhibits at the Museum of World Treasures, and enjoy a show or performance at the Orpheum Theatre.

#4: Manhattan

Median home price: $255,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $121 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $805 
Median household income: $46,424 
Nearest major metro: Kansas City, MO (4 miles)
Manhattan, KS homes for sale
Manhattan, KS apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Wichita is the city of Manhattan, the final city on our list of affordable places to live in Kansas. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in Manhattan. Make sure to see the animals at the Sunset Zoo, check out the Flint Hills Discovery Center, visit the charming downtown area, or stroll along the Kansas River.

Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Kansas. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com July 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.