McPherson is a small city of 13,955 in Kansas, with a median household income of $69,807
and a 2.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
McPherson stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether McPherson is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All McPherson 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: 91.5
McPherson's overall cost of living index is 91.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in McPherson costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
McPherson, KS
National Avg
Median Home Value
$184,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$903
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
68.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$69,807
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
McPherson's violent crime rate is 122.7 per 100,000 residents
— 68% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
122.7 /100k
Property Crime
1407.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
McPherson is served primarily by McPherson.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
McPherson, KS
National Avg
School District
McPherson
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
33.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
McPherson sees average highs of 42.4°F in January
and 92.8°F in July,
with 33.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 14.2 inches of snow per year.
McPherson's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes McPherson roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $184,400 and median rent is $903/month.
McPherson's violent crime rate is 122.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1407.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in McPherson are operated by McPherson.
The district has 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1. 33.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
McPherson, KS has a population of 13,955, a median household income of $69,807, and an unemployment rate of 2.8%.
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.
McPherson averages 42.4°F in January and 92.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 33.6 inches
with about 14.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
McPherson, KS is covered by 1 ZIP code: 67460.
The population of McPherson, Kansas is 13,955 with a median age of 36.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in McPherson: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $184,400, median household income $69,807, crime index 46 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare McPherson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
