Wakarusa is a small town of 243 in Kansas, with a median household income of $40,972
and a 20.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Wakarusa stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Wakarusa is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Wakarusa 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: 85.9
Wakarusa's overall cost of living index is 85.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Wakarusa costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Wakarusa, KS
National Avg
Median Home Value
$211,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
N/A
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
83.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$40,972
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Higher than Average
Wakarusa's violent crime rate is 655.8 per 100,000 residents
— 73% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
655.8 /100k
Property Crime
2912.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Wakarusa is served primarily by Auburn-Washburn.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Wakarusa, KS
National Avg
School District
Auburn-Washburn
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
0.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
100.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Wakarusa sees average highs of 40.5°F in January
and 90.5°F in July,
with 36.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 12.3 inches of snow per year.
Wakarusa's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Wakarusa roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $211,500 and median rent is N/A/month.
Wakarusa's violent crime rate is 655.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2912.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Wakarusa are operated by Auburn-Washburn.
The district has 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1. 0.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Wakarusa, KS has a population of 243, a median household income of $40,972, and an unemployment rate of 20.0%.
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.
Wakarusa averages 40.5°F in January and 90.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 36.7 inches
with about 12.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Wakarusa, KS is covered by 1 ZIP code: 66546.
The population of Wakarusa, Kansas is 243 with a median age of 35.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Wakarusa: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $211,500, median household income $40,972, crime index 159 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Wakarusa side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.