What is the cost of living in Manhattan, KS?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Manhattan has an overall cost of living index of 100, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Kansas, Manhattan has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Kansas's index of 91.
The standard of living in Manhattan ranks as #51 most affordable out of the 65 places we measured in Kansas. By definition, that implies Manhattan ranks as the #14 most expensive place in the Sunflower State.
For more reading on life in Manhattan, check out:
Manhattan Cost Of Living Vs. Kansas
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Manhattan. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Manhattan is 97.
The Groceries index in Manhattan is 99.
The Health index in Manhattan is 113.
The Housing index in Manhattan is 91.
The Transportation index in Manhattan is 95.
The Utilities index in Manhattan is 92.
| Living Expense | Manhattan | Kansas | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health | 113 | 76 | 100 |
| Housing | 91 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 92 | 95 | 100 |
Manhattan Cost Of Living Compared To Kansas Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Kansas, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Manhattan Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Manhattan, KS Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Kansas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Manhattan is $288,517.
The Median Rent in Manhattan is $1,003.
The Median Income in Manhattan is $60,172.
The Home Value To Income in Manhattan is 4.8x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Manhattan is 0.2x.
Manhattan, KS Costs By Category
Detailed Manhattan Services costs vs. Kansas
Detailed Manhattan Groceries costs vs. Kansas
Detailed Manhattan Health costs vs. Kansas
Detailed Manhattan Transportation costs vs. Kansas
Manhattan SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Manhattan
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Manhattan. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Topeka, KS has a cost of living index of 86, 0.9x Manhattan.
Fort Riley, KS has a cost of living index of 103, 1.0x Manhattan.
Abilene, KS has a cost of living index of 89, 0.9x Manhattan.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Manhattan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | 125,786 | 86 | 0.9x |
| Fort Riley, KS | 8,606 | 103 | 1.0x |
| Abilene, KS | 6,449 | 89 | 0.9x |
