Dodge City Longhorn · Gerald B. Keane / Public domainLong Branch Saloon interior · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domainDodgeCityPeaceCommission · Conkling Studio / Public domainWea01356 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library · Courtesy of Steve Doty, NOAA NCDC (ret.). / Public domain
Dodge City is a small city of 27,721 in Kansas, with a median household income of $66,932
and a 3.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Dodge City stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Dodge City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Dodge City city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.7
Dodge City's overall cost of living index is 89.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Dodge City costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Dodge City, KS
National Avg
Median Home Value
$112,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$972
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
59.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$66,932
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Dodge City's violent crime rate is 251.4 per 100,000 residents
— 34% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
251.4 /100k
Property Crime
1089.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Dodge City is served primarily by Dodge City.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.2:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Dodge City, KS
National Avg
School District
Dodge City
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
18.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
75.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Dodge City sees average highs of 45.6°F in January
and 93.7°F in July,
with 22.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 19.1 inches of snow per year.
Dodge City's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Dodge City roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $112,800 and median rent is $972/month.
Dodge City's violent crime rate is 251.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1089.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Dodge City are operated by Dodge City.
The district has 8 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.2:1. 18.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Dodge City, KS has a population of 27,721, a median household income of $66,932, and an unemployment rate of 3.6%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Dodge City averages 45.6°F in January and 93.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 22.7 inches
with about 19.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Dodge City, KS is covered by 1 ZIP code: 67801.
The population of Dodge City, Kansas is 27,721 with a median age of 30.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Dodge City: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $112,800, median household income $66,932, crime index 60 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Dodge City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
