Living in Plains, Kansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Plains · Census data 2020–2024
Plains has 1,171 residents with a median age of 26.6. The median household income is $71,136 (4% lower than the Kansas median), the median home value is $151,400, the median rent is $778/month.
Plains is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Plains at a glance
- Population
- 1,171
- Median age
- 26.6State: 37.4
- Median household income
- $71,136State: $74,275
- Median home value
- $151,400State: $217,200
- Median rent
- $778/moState: $1,060
- Homeowners
- 72.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.1%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Plains a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 30% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 2.8%.
Cons: Median household income 4% lower than the Kansas median; a poverty rate of 18.5%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Plains
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Plains the median home value is $151,400, 54% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $778 per month, which is 14.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,522 a month in housing costs.
Plains median household income
The median household income in Plains is $71,136 and the income per person is $27,625. 18.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Kansas: 11.3%).
Housing in Plains: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 471
- Owner-occupied
- 72.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 27.3%
- Vacant
- 17.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1968
- Average household size
- 3.02
Plains demographics
- Population
- 1,171
- Median age
- 26.6
- Under 18
- 33.6%
- 65 and older
- 8.5%
- Households
- 388
- Foreign-born
- 22%
- Veterans
- 2.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Plains ›
Education in Plains
21.1% of adults 25 and older in Plains have a bachelor's degree or higher (Kansas: 35.6%), and 12.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Plains
- Unemployment rate
- 2.8%State: 3.9%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 4.3%
- Drive alone
- 79.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.1%
Plains vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plains | 1,171 | $71,136 | $151,400 | $778 |
| Kismet | 414 | $60,197 | $109,000 | $932 |
| Meade | 1,341 | $75,321 | $121,700 | $759 |
| Copeland | 365 | $44,375 | $252,500 | — |
| Sublette | 1,500 | $66,331 | $160,500 | $694 |
| Fowler | 599 | $47,679 | $108,300 | $900 |
| Montezuma | 864 | $48,438 | $152,200 | $1,012 |
| Liberal | 19,316 | $63,706 | $137,100 | $900 |
| Forgan | 359 | $70,114 | $60,500 | $564 |
More for people moving to Plains
Plains ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Plains: FAQ
What is the median household income in Plains, KS?
The median household income in Plains is $71,136, 4% 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 Plains?
The median home value in Plains is $151,400, compared with $217,200 in Kansas.
How much is rent in Plains?
The median gross rent in Plains is $778 per month, about 14.7% of household income.
Is Plains, KS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 30% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 2.8%. Minuses: median household income 4% lower than the Kansas median; a poverty rate of 18.5%.
What is the median age in Plains?
The median age in Plains is 26.6 years (Kansas: 37.4).
How long is the commute in Plains?
The average commute to work in Plains is 15 minutes; 4.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Plains?
The unemployment rate in Plains is 2.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Plains?
21.1% of adults in Plains 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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