Living in Hays, Kansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Hays · Census data 2020–2024
Hays has 21,143 residents with a median age of 30.2. The median household income is $58,459 (21% lower than the Kansas median), the median home value is $225,500, the median rent is $922/month.
Hays at a glance
- Population
- 21,143
- Median age
- 30.2State: 37.4
- Median household income
- $58,459State: $74,275
- Median home value
- $225,500State: $217,200
- Median rent
- $922/moState: $1,060
- Homeowners
- 58.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 42.7%
- Average commute
- 11 min
Is Hays a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 11 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%.
Cons: Median household income 21% lower than the Kansas median; home values 4% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 20.1%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Hays
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Hays the median home value is $225,500, 32% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $922 per month, which is 32.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,585 a month in housing costs.
Hays median household income
The median household income in Hays is $58,459 and the income per person is $33,657. 20.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Kansas: 11.3%).
Housing in Hays: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,702
- Owner-occupied
- 58.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.5%
- Vacant
- 7.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.18
Hays demographics
- Population
- 21,143
- Median age
- 30.2
- Under 18
- 18.5%
- 65 and older
- 15.8%
- Households
- 9,003
- Foreign-born
- 2.9%
- Veterans
- 3.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Hays ›
Education in Hays
42.7% of adults 25 and older in Hays have a bachelor's degree or higher (Kansas: 35.6%), and 16.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Hays
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%State: 3.9%
- Average commute
- 11 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 5.2%
- Drive alone
- 77.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 9.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.5%
Hays vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hays | 21,143 | $58,459 | $225,500 | $922 |
| Victoria | 1,095 | $77,500 | $174,200 | $941 |
| Schoenchen | 181 | $63,750 | $141,300 | — |
| Ellis | 2,189 | $73,000 | $155,500 | — |
| Gorham | 416 | $68,200 | $113,200 | $788 |
| La Crosse | 1,154 | $53,750 | $84,600 | $725 |
| Plainville | 1,656 | $59,236 | $82,500 | $773 |
| McCracken | 200 | $38,281 | $44,300 | $539 |
| Russell | 4,217 | $56,832 | $135,600 | $824 |
More for people moving to Hays
Hays ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Hays: FAQ
What is the median household income in Hays, KS?
The median household income in Hays is $58,459, 21% lower than the Kansas median of $74,275 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Hays?
The median home value in Hays is $225,500, compared with $217,200 in Kansas.
How much is rent in Hays?
The median gross rent in Hays is $922 per month, about 32.6% of household income.
Is Hays, KS a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 11 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%. Minuses: median household income 21% lower than the Kansas median; home values 4% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 20.1%.
What is the median age in Hays?
The median age in Hays is 30.2 years (Kansas: 37.4).
How long is the commute in Hays?
The average commute to work in Hays is 11 minutes; 5.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Hays?
The unemployment rate in Hays is 3.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Hays?
42.7% of adults in Hays have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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