Below Average CostSafer than AverageGeary County Schools
First Territorial Capitol of Kansas · David von Riesen / Public domainCuster House Museum · US Army / Public domainBuffalo soldiers at Fort Riley · US Army / Public domainCampFunstonKS-InfluenzaHospital · U.S. Army photographer / Public domain
Fort Riley is a small town of 8,623 in Kansas, with a median household income of $48,497
and a 19.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Fort Riley stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Fort Riley is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Fort Riley 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: 90.3
Fort Riley's overall cost of living index is 90.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Fort Riley costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Fort Riley, KS
National Avg
Median Home Value
$220,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,308
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
1.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,497
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Fort Riley's violent crime rate is 241.1 per 100,000 residents
— 37% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
241.1 /100k
Property Crime
1189.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Fort Riley is served primarily by Geary County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Fort Riley, KS
National Avg
School District
Geary County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
12
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
17.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
99.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Fort Riley sees average highs of 39.2°F in January
and 89.2°F in July,
with 32.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 17.6 inches of snow per year.
Fort Riley's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Fort Riley roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $220,200 and median rent is $1,308/month.
Fort Riley's violent crime rate is 241.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1189.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Fort Riley are operated by Geary County Schools.
The district has 12 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.5:1. 17.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Fort Riley, KS has a population of 8,623, a median household income of $48,497, and an unemployment rate of 19.4%.
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.
Fort Riley averages 39.2°F in January and 89.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 32.9 inches
with about 17.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Fort Riley, KS is covered by 1 ZIP code: 66442.
The population of Fort Riley, Kansas is 8,623 with a median age of 22.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Fort Riley: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $220,200, median household income $48,497, crime index 61 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Fort Riley side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
