Cost of Living in Emporia, KS
Updated November 2026 · Lyon County · Emporia, KS micropolitan area · population 24,131
Prices in Emporia are 13.6% below the US average (local index 86.4; the BEA index for nonmetropolitan Kansas is 85.9), with local housing the biggest saving at 52.8; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,050 a month and the median rent is $815.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Emporia's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for nonmetropolitan Kansas, unchanged.
Emporia price index by category, US average = 100: All items 86.4, Housing (rents) 52.8, Goods 94.0, Utilities 87.8, Other services 93.8
It is the least expensive of the 10 Kansas cities in our data. Cheaper than 100% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.2 | 87.9 | 86.7 | 85.0 | 85.0 | 85.9 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Emporia, KS
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $505 | $6,060 | 25% |
| Utilities | $231 | $2,772 | 11% |
| Food at home | $265 | $3,180 | 13% |
| Transportation | $562 | $6,744 | 27% |
| Health care | $330 | $3,960 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $157 | $1,884 | 8% |
| Total | $2,050 | $24,600 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Emporia, KS
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $660 | $7,920 | 19% |
| Utilities | $367 | $4,404 | 10% |
| Food at home | $490 | $5,880 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,110 | $13,320 | 31% |
| Health care | $611 | $7,332 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $310 | $3,720 | 9% |
| Total | $3,548 | $42,576 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Emporia, KS
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $812 | $9,744 | 18% |
| Utilities | $447 | $5,364 | 10% |
| Food at home | $698 | $8,376 | 16% |
| Transportation | $1,480 | $17,760 | 34% |
| Health care | $569 | $6,828 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $399 | $4,788 | 9% |
| Total | $4,405 | $52,860 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Emporia
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $708 |
| 1 bedroom | $642 |
| 2 bedrooms | $839 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,032 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,235 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $815 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $641 |
| Median home value | $132,700 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,259/mo |
| Median household income | $52,704 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 26.2% |
| Home value ÷ household income Very affordable | 2.5× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Kansas
15.47¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +5.6% (from 14.65¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 886 kWh a month in Kansas ≈ $134/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Kansas is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the Midwest
Consumer prices in the Midwest Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Emporia are 13.6% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $69,500 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 86.4. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | 51 mi | 89.0 | $2,146 | $979 |
| Manhattan, KS | 59 mi | 89.7 | $2,265 | $1,003 |
| Lawrence, KS | 63 mi | 89.9 | $2,384 | $1,091 |
| Wichita, KS | 80 mi | 88.4 | $2,189 | $975 |
| Olathe, KS | 81 mi | 92.9 | $2,556 | $1,314 |
| Lenexa, KS | 84 mi | 94.6 | $2,768 | $1,454 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thibodaux, LA | 86.5 | $2,097 | $960 |
| Joplin, MO | 86.5 | $2,055 | $962 |
| Spirit Lake, IA | 86.6 | $2,234 | $911 |
| Sioux City, IA | 86.6 | $2,222 | $976 |
| Fort Payne, AL | 86.2 | $2,053 | $679 |
| Ada, OK | 86.7 | $1,980 | $894 |
Compare Emporia with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Emporia, KS an expensive place to live?
Emporia has a local cost of living index of 86.4, which is 13.6% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for nonmetropolitan Kansas (85.9) and adjusts housing to Emporia's own rents. It is 3.7 points below the Kansas average. It is the least expensive of the 10 Kansas cities in our data. Cheaper than 100% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Emporia?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,050 for a single adult, $3,548 for a couple and $4,405 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $51,800 in Emporia.
What is the average rent in Emporia?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $815 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $642, 2 bedrooms $839, 3 bedrooms $1,032. The typical renter spends 26.2% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Emporia?
The median owner-estimated home value is $132,700, 2.5 times the median household income of $52,704 (very affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,259 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Emporia?
Kansas residential electricity averaged 15.47¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for Kansas nonmetropolitan portion (BEA index 85.9) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 2021275 (Emporia city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Kansas residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Midwest region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- BEA area index: state nonmetro figure (in a micropolitan area; BEA publishes RPPs only for metro areas).
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources