Best Affordable Places to Live in Kansas in 2025

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Wellington, a small town south of Wichita, offers a number of great job opportunities, including careers in aviation, manufacturing, railroad services, and food processing. Despite its small size, Wellington offers residents on a budget plenty to do, including multiple museums and parks.

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Close to the heart of Kansas, Salina offers an affordable place to live, with a cost of living that’s just 75.8% of the U.S. average. Looking for a job in Salina? The city is known for an abundance of manufacturing jobs. There’s plenty to do in the area, even if you’re on a tight budget; grownups may enjoy the Smoky Hill Museum, while the Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park is great for families.

If you’re thinking of buying and this is your first time navigating the housing market, check out a guide for first-time homebuyers before starting your search in Salina.

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About two hours due south of Kansas City is the town of Pittsburg. Pittsburg offers a low cost of living, affordable housing, and plenty of employment opportunities across education and manufacturing (packing and plastics). You’ll still find a charming downtown in this old mining town, and there’s always good eats: Pittsburg is a part of Crawford County, the Fried Chicken Capital of the World.

Andover is a great spot for families near Wichita. Almost a third of all of the town’s residents are under 18, and parents will like that there is an emphasis on education and lots of opportunities for kids to make friends. Andover’s parks and trails are a great way to get kids outside and stay active.

And the town is so affordable, you likely won’t have to investigate getting a jumbo mortgage loan to purchase a home.

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If your family likes to stay active, Wichita is a great city to move to. It offers so much for families to do, from museums and restaurants to parks and sports teams. And families on a budget will appreciate the city’s low home price-to-income ratio: 3.03, which makes it possible to buy a house for your family to enjoy for years to come.

Ready to purchase a house in Wichita? Check out a home loan help center to get started.

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There’s always something going on in Dodge City. This small town goes all out for holidays throughout the year. In the warmer months, families can enjoy weekends at the Dodge City Raceway Park, and for 10 days each summer, the city throws a huge festival, called Dodge City Days. Families will also likely appreciate Dodge City’s well-regarded school system and low cost of living.

Already own a home in Dodge City but want a more affordable monthly payment? See if a mortgage refinance is right for you.

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Young professionals in search of a reliable job should add Wichita to their list for consideration. Wichita is home to multiple aircraft assembly and manufacturing, health care, and education jobs — and the McConnell Air Force Base is a huge employer. There’s always something to do in Wichita for young adults, whether that’s bars and clubs or festivals, concerts, and touring shows.

Ready to make an offer on a home in Wichita? Check out our tips to qualify for a mortgage.

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The capital of Kansas, Topeka offers plenty of government jobs for recent college grads. Young adults in search of an active lifestyle will feel right at home in Topeka, which has a hot dining scene and lots of outdoor spaces to get out and enjoy some fresh air.

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With multiple festivals, an auto-racing track, and the annual 10-day Dodge City Days, Dodge City offers young adults plenty to do, even though it’s far from the major cities on the eastern side of the state. You’ll find ample restaurants, bars, and outdoor places to explore, and the city has plenty of job opportunities.

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Salina has everything you could want in a place to retire: great community activities, several local golf courses, and a low cost of living. It’s also located at the intersection of two major interstates (I-70 and I-135), which is great if you plan to take lots of road trips during your golden years.

If you’d rather not get a mortgage in retirement, you can rent in Salina.

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Wichita is ideal for retirees: It has a low cost of living, it offers seniors plenty of activities, and it has its own airport — great if you want to travel the world during retirement. Wichita also has more than 100 parks, meaning there’s always somewhere new to explore.

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As the seat of the Kansas government, Topeka is an interesting place for seniors to live. There’s plenty going on downtown, and history buffs will enjoy the capital city’s significance in overturning racial segregation in public schools. With a low cost of living, Topeka is great for retirees on a strict budget. Plus, it’s surrounded by ample lakes for those who enjoy spending their days boating, fishing, and hiking.

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Fans of Milford Lake can get even closer to Kansas’ largest body of water by settling down in Junction City, just south of the lake. It’s also right where three major rivers converge: the Smoky Hill River, the Republican River, and the Kansas River. That means river kayaking and canoeing opportunities abound.

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Topeka is an all-around great place to live in Kansas, but the capital city is particularly attractive for people who like to be near the water. The city itself is built along the river, and the Greater Topeka Partnership is currently working toward developing the riverfront area to be designed as a community space. But the city is also located close to several large lakes, including Lake Shawnee, Clinton Lake, and Perry Lake, meaning multiple opportunities for swimming, hiking, boating, hunting, and fishing.

Northeast of Wichita is the small town of El Dorado — and it truly is golden for anyone who likes to live near the water. El Dorado Lake and its state park offer ample outdoor family fun, including boating and fishing. The reservoir transformed this area when it was completed in 1981.

If you are thinking of buying a home in El Dorado, it can be wise to familiarize yourself with the different types of mortgage loans you might want to consider.