Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Salina, Kansas

Salina, Kansas local scene.
Photo by User:Smuckola via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Salina cost of living

Moderate housing inputs still need a high-property-tax, weather, care, and vehicle budget

The catalog estimates $2,734 per month for a local resident, $4,291 for a couple, $3,688 for a traveler, and $3,299 for an expatriate household. It lists $690 for a typical one bedroom gross rent, $969 for a two bedroom, $472 for groceries, $239 for utilities, $1,077 for transportation, and $495 for healthcare. These are planning estimates rather than a lease, tax bill, or personal care quote.

Census QuickFacts reports a 2019 to 2023 median gross rent of $911, while the catalog's one bedroom figure uses a different date and definition. Compare like with like and request exact rent or purchase terms, property taxes, insurance, utility history, heating and cooling, flood exposure, repairs, parking, internet, and snow or storm service.

The catalog labels property taxes High and car use Recommended. Kansas tax treatment also varies by income source. Separate Social Security, public retirement, military, railroad, private pension, investment, and work income, then price the home, care, vehicle, weather, flood, and emergency costs for the actual household.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,734 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$690
Utilities (in rent)
$239
Food
$472/mo
Transportation
$1,077/mo
Healthcare
$495

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$3,688

Very Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,291

Very Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$690

Excellent

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$234/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Recommended
Property Taxes
High
Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
10.6%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
25.1%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
26.9%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$48,548

Could Salina fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$2,734 per month
Two people
$4,291 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$690
Food
$472
Transportation
$1,077
Healthcare
$495

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Salina in everyday life

Could Salina work for you?

What may work well

  • The catalog and Census provide housing and monthly planning inputs to compare.
  • Salina's hospital, pharmacies, parks, senior services, utilities, and regional roads create concrete destinations to price.
  • Kansas Department of Revenue guidance clearly identifies several exempt retirement income categories.

What to think about

  • High property taxes can materially change an owner budget even when rent looks moderate.
  • The Recommended car label leaves fuel, maintenance, parking, weather, care, family, and a backup ride in the decision.
  • Catalog estimates and tax summaries do not replace an address-level budget or personal tax return.

Create a Salina budget from the exact home outward

  1. Request home costs

    Obtain rent or purchase terms, property taxes, insurance, utility history, heating, cooling, internet, basement, drainage, flood, roof, snow, parking, and repair information.

  2. Price the weekly routes

    Add groceries, pharmacy, Salina Regional, primary care, senior services, parks, family, worship, parking, fuel, snow, and a backup ride.

  3. Review income and tax treatment

    Separate Social Security, public retirement, military, railroad, private pension, investment, work, and other income, then confirm current Kansas rules.

  4. Run renter and owner versions

    Compare rent or mortgage, deposits or closing costs, taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, vehicle costs, medical travel, flood costs, and the cost of leaving or selling.

Questions retirees ask

How much does the catalog estimate for Salina?

It estimates $2,734 per month for a local resident, $4,291 for a couple, $3,688 for a traveler, and $3,299 for an expatriate household. Add exact housing, taxes, insurance, utilities, care, car, weather, and repairs.

What rent figures are listed?

The catalog lists $690 for a typical one bedroom gross rent and $969 for a two bedroom. Census QuickFacts lists a $911 median gross rent for 2019 to 2023. Confirm dates, definitions, lease terms, utilities, parking, and repairs.

Does Kansas tax retirement income?

Kansas exempts Social Security benefits for tax years after 2023 and lists exemptions for certain federal, military, railroad, KPERS, teacher, police, and other public retirement benefits. Private and other income can be treated differently.

Why does transportation matter?

The catalog labels car use Recommended. Food, pharmacy, hospital, senior services, family, parking, fuel, insurance, maintenance, snow, and a backup ride can all affect the household budget.

What should I ask a seller or landlord?

Ask for taxes, insurance, utility history, heating, cooling, basement, drainage, flood, roof, trees, snow, parking, internet, accessibility, repairs, and the route to care, food, pharmacy, and senior services.

Salina's housing and monthly figures are useful starts, but the final budget depends on High property taxes, Kansas income categories, vehicle costs, weather, flood, insurance, care, and the exact home's access. Price the complete week before choosing.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.