B

Ellis, KS

Source:

Affordability Score: 72/100

Population: 2,651 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Ellis, KS aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 2,651 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of B (72/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $74,281, median home value of $158,700, median rent of per month, and 32.2% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $941 per month (studio $649, 1BR $717, 3BR $1,288, 4BR $1,579). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $9,651 per year, consuming 13% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Ellis, KS include housing, rent. Unemployment currently reads 1.9% and poverty 17.7% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C+
$74,281
Median household income
Education C-
32.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing A
2.1x
Home value $158,700 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent A
$941/mo
2BR fair market rent (15% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C+
$9,651/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$74,281
▲ 20% vs national
Per Capita Income
$63,216
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Poverty Rate
17.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
$158,700
▼ 42% vs national
Median Rent
Owner Occupied
78.2%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$941/mo
▼ 22% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$649
1BR
$717
2BR
$941
3BR
$1,288
4BR
$1,579

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
32.2%
▲ 2 ppt vs national
High School+
62.6%
Median Age
36.5
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$9,651/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$8,611/yr
Preschool (Center)
$7,502/yr
School-Age (Center)
$4,285/yr

What This Means

Ellis, KS receives an overall affordability grade of B (72/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 2,651. This area performs well in housing and rent. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Ellis ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Ellis, KS affordable?
Ellis, KS receives an overall affordability grade of B (72/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $74,281. Median home value is $158,700.
What is the cost of living in Ellis?
Key cost metrics: 2BR fair market rent $941/mo. Infant childcare $9,651/yr. Median home value $158,700.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →