What are the schools like in Otis, KS?

Otis is served primarily by Otis-Bison. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.9:1.

What is the median household income in Otis?

The median household income in Otis, KS is $52,708 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.1%.

What is the weather like in Otis, KS?

Otis has an average high temperature of 43.2°F in January and 92.3°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 26.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 14.1 inches.

Otis, KS Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Otis, KS affordable or expensive?

Otis's cost of living index is 86, where 100 represents the national average. This means Otis is 14% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $58,800 and the median rent is $950 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Otis, KS?

Otis has a violent crime rate of 263.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1317.5 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Otis, KS a Good Place to Live?

Otis is a small town of 375 in Kansas, with a median household income of $52,708 and a 6.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is 14% below the national average.

Strengths: Otis stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Otis is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Otis 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: 86.3

Otis's overall cost of living index is 86.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Otis costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.

Metric	Otis, KS	National Avg
Median Home Value	$58,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$950	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	88.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$52,708	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Otis's violent crime rate is 263.5 per 100,000 residents — 31% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

263.5 /100k

Property Crime

1317.5 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Otis is served primarily by Otis-Bison. The student-to-teacher ratio is 7.9:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Otis, KS	National Avg
School District	Otis-Bison	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	7.9:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	5.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	86.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Otis sees average highs of 43.2°F in January and 92.3°F in July, with 26.5 inches of annual precipitation and 14.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Otis, KS
Average High — January	43.2°F
Average High — July	92.3°F
Annual Precipitation	26.5"
Annual Snowfall	14.1"

Demographics

Metric	Otis, KS	National Avg
Population	375	—
Median Age	32.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	35.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	90.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	5.1%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	36.0%	22.2%
65 and over	13.6%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Albert, KS 6 mi Olmitz, KS 6 mi Bison, KS 8 mi Timken, KS 8 mi Galatia, KS 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Otis

Otis, KS is covered by 1 ZIP code:

67565

Otis vs Other Cities

Otis, KS vs Albert, KS Otis, KS vs Olmitz, KS Otis, KS vs Bison, KS Otis, KS vs Timken, KS Otis, KS vs Galatia, KS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Otis, KS affordable or expensive?

Otis's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average. That makes Otis roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $58,800 and median rent is $950/month.

What is the crime rate in Otis, KS?

Otis's violent crime rate is 263.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1317.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Otis?

Public schools in Otis are operated by Otis-Bison. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 7.9:1. 5.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Otis, KS a good place to live?

Otis, KS has a population of 375, a median household income of $52,708, and an unemployment rate of 6.1%. 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.

What is the weather like in Otis?

Otis averages 43.2°F in January and 92.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 26.5 inches with about 14.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Otis?

Otis, KS is covered by 1 ZIP code: 67565.

What is the population of Otis?

The population of Otis, Kansas is 375 with a median age of 32.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Otis?

Key numbers for living in Otis: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $58,800, median household income $52,708, crime index 67 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Otis side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.