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Hays, KS

Cost of living in Ellis County, KS

Estimated monthly cost
$2,553/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 28,870 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $697 27%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $377 15%
Transport $320 13%
Groceries $317 12%
Energy $193 8%
State tax $119 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Ellis County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$627
per month
1 bedroom
$697
per month
2 bedroom
$914
per month
3 bedroom
$1,273
per month
4 bedroom
$1,535
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Ellis County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$59,889
per year
Individual earnings
$33,102
per year
Per capita
$37,575
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Ellis County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$211,100
Annual property tax
$2,582

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Ellis County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$136
per month · 15.1¢/kWh
Natural gas
$57
per month
Annual total
$2,316
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Ellis County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.2%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Ellis County

State and local tax rates for Kansas.

State income tax
5.7%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.5%
Combined sales tax
8.7%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Ellis County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
13.0 min
Drive alone
80.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
6.0%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Ellis County

What it costs to live in Ellis County each month.

Single person
$2,553
per month
  • Rent $697
  • Energy $193
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $317
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $377
  • State tax $119
Couple
$3,911
per month
  • Rent $914
  • Energy $232
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $525
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $650
  • State tax $246
Family
$6,396
per month
  • Rent $1,273
  • Energy $290
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $797
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $650
  • State tax $246

Frequently asked questions about Ellis County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Ellis County?

In Ellis County, KS, a one-bedroom apartment averages $697 per month, a two-bedroom averages $914 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,273 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Ellis County?

In Ellis County, KS, the average household income is $59,889 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $33,102 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Ellis County?

The estimated cost of living in Ellis County, KS is approximately $2,553 per month for a single person, $3,911 for a couple, $6,396 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Ellis County?

The combined sales tax rate in Ellis County, KS is 8.70%, which includes the Kansas state rate of 6.50% plus an average local rate of 2.20%.

Is Ellis County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Ellis County, KS would need approximately $2,553 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $59,889 per year ($4,991 per month). Ellis County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Ellis County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Ellis County, KS is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Ellis County?

The average home value in Ellis County, KS is $211,100, with average annual property taxes of $2,582, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Ellis County compare to other areas?

You can compare Ellis County, KS with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Ellis County is in the Hays, KS metro area.

Other counties in Kansas

Browse the full list of counties in Kansas, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Kansas

Compare Ellis County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources