What are the schools like in Plains, KS?

Plains is served primarily by Kismet-Plains. The district operates 2 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.2:1.

What is the median household income in Plains?

The median household income in Plains, KS is $72,222 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 1.8%.

What is the weather like in Plains, KS?

Plains has an average high temperature of 46.0°F in January and 94.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 21.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 16.9 inches.

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

Q: Is Plains, KS affordable or expensive?

Plains's cost of living index is 88, where 100 represents the national average. This means Plains is 12% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $133,600 and the median rent is $729 per month.

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

Crime rate data for Plains is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Plains, KS a Good Place to Live?

Plains is a small town of 1,266 in Kansas, with a median household income of $72,222 and a 1.8% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is 12% below the national average.

Strengths: Plains stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Plains is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Plains 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: 88.2

Plains's overall cost of living index is 88.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Plains costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.

Metric	Plains, KS	National Avg
Median Home Value	$133,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$729	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	75.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$72,222	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Plains is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Plains is served primarily by Kismet-Plains. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Plains, KS	National Avg
School District	Kismet-Plains	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	20.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	72.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Plains sees average highs of 46.0°F in January and 94.4°F in July, with 21.8 inches of annual precipitation and 16.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Plains, KS
Average High — January	46.0°F
Average High — July	94.4°F
Annual Precipitation	21.8"
Annual Snowfall	16.9"

Demographics

Metric	Plains, KS	National Avg
Population	1,266	—
Median Age	29.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	1.8%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	14.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	58.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.5%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	36.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	34.6%	22.2%
65 and over	7.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Kismet, KS 7 mi Meade, KS 14 mi Copeland, KS 19 mi Sublette, KS 21 mi Fowler, KS 23 mi

ZIP Codes in Plains

Plains, KS is covered by 1 ZIP code:

67869

Plains vs Other Cities

Plains, KS vs Kismet, KS Plains, KS vs Meade, KS Plains, KS vs Copeland, KS Plains, KS vs Sublette, KS Plains, KS vs Fowler, KS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plains, KS affordable or expensive?

Plains's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average. That makes Plains roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $133,600 and median rent is $729/month.

What is the crime rate in Plains, KS?

Crime data for Plains is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Plains?

Public schools in Plains are operated by Kismet-Plains. The district has 2 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1. 20.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Plains, KS a good place to live?

Plains, KS has a population of 1,266, a median household income of $72,222, and an unemployment rate of 1.8%. 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.

What is the weather like in Plains?

Plains averages 46.0°F in January and 94.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 21.8 inches with about 16.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Plains?

Plains, KS is covered by 1 ZIP code: 67869.

What is the population of Plains?

The population of Plains, Kansas is 1,266 with a median age of 29.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Plains?

Key numbers for living in Plains: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $133,600, median household income $72,222, schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Plains side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.