This article takes a look at the 15 best places in Kansas for a couple to live on only Social Security. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on Kansas state-sponsored retirement benefits, you may go to 5 Best Places in Kansas for a Couple to Live on Only Social Security.
Retirement – A Growing Discussion among Kansas Lawmakers
When it comes to retirement, one of the main areas that draws focus is the period’s financial aspect. Simply put, how are individuals who are no longer earning going to fund their retirement? For senior citizens who were previously working in the private sector, a popular option is the 401(k) employer-sponsored retirement plan. Alternatively, public sector employees often rely on state-sponsored retirement systems such as a pension.
How exactly a former public employee’s pension is calculated is based on each specific state’s own legislation and policies. Kansas, specifically, has a retirement plan that has recently garnered plenty of scrutiny and dissatisfaction among both public employee and lawmaker circles. In the state of Kansas, public employees seek retirement benefits under the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System – or KPERS. Currently, this retirement system is on its third variation, known as KPERS 3, and although there are older employees still enrolled in the system’s earlier version any new public employees hired in 2015 and since are automatically allotted to KPERS 3.
While it may be assumed that a newer version would entail better benefits more in line with the US’ current economic standings, KPERS 3 seems to have taken a step backward.
“KPERS 3, generally, gives employees less flexibility, requires them to share some financial risk, and provides lower benefits than other plans evaluated. KPERS 3 has higher employee contribution rates, a longer vesting period, and longer retirement requirements than most other plans we evaluated.”
-Cade Graber, Auditor, Legislature’s Division of Post Audit
Despite inflationary pressure, KPERS recipients have not received a COLA since 1998. In actual terms, this means that those enrolled in KPERS are having to make do with the same amount of money in an environment that has gotten expensive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an individual would need $1.91 in January 2024 to buy what $1 would have gotten in January 1998. However, Kansas public employees continue to live on long stagnant pension payments. For instance, Janet Greer, a former elementary school reading specialist who retired in 2000 has received an estimated $16,000 KPERS payment each year. $16,000 a year fares much poorer in 2024 than it did in the year 2000, and Greer says that if she were to require assisted living, her money would be up in a year.
So, what are Kansas employees demanding? And how are lawmakers responding?
The main demand coming forward is a 5% pension increase that would give the greatest adjustments to the oldest retirees. This demand, put forward by the Kansas Coalition of Public Retirees, has been met with disinterest under the guise of budget restraints. However, Kansas has a budget surplus of over $2 billion, reports The Beacon and the 5% increase would only bring the state a comparatively low annual cost of $263 million.
Instead, Kansas lawmakers are proposing other avenues such as relaxed taxation and a shift of KPERS 3 enrollees into KPERS 2 which would bring about greater financial benefits for retirees.
The Finances of a Kansas Retirement
So, how much does a Kansas retirement cost? While your retirement expenses depend on a variety of factors and most importantly, your personal preferences, the following is an estimate of what a Kansas retirement would look like for retired couples.
Kansas has one of the best rental markets in the US, with Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:Z) stating that the median monthly figure for a two-bedroom rental is a low $950 – a whole 50% lower than the national median. Kansas also holds one of the lowest average grocery spends in the country, with only the state of New Hampshire carrying a lower cost. According to Zippia, Kansas individuals spend an average of $261.35 per month on groceries – $522.7 if doubled for a couple. However, Kansas is among the few states that tax Social Security in 2024, cutting into retiree’s Social Security payments – although this is partially offset by the fact that Kansas is among the states with the highest average Social Security payment.
So, is Kansas a good state for retirees? Keeping in mind that it is among the states that pay the most in Social Security and is also one of the cheapest places to live on Social Security, the verdict would be a yes.
To facilitate retired couples who are pondering the move to Kansas, we have compiled a list of the 15 best places in Kansas for a couple to live on only Social Security.
An elderly couple looking through an insurance marketplace online, symbolizing its impact for senior citizens.
Methodology
To compile this list of the 15 best places in Kansas for a couple to live on only social security, we consulted several sources including our lists on retiring to Kansas and Best Cities to Retire in the Midwest, as well as external sources such as Unbiased, Niche, NewHomeSource, and WorldAtlas. Once a list of places was compiled, we ranked them on their median figure for a two-bedroom rental, their livability scores, and their cost of living. For this article, rental prices were taken from Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:Z), livability scores were taken from Area Vibes, and the cost of living index was our own. To ensure that the recommended places held a high quality of living, we removed cities with a livability score below 60. A Insider Monkey score was then assigned to each place based on these factors, with the 15 highest-scoring places making our list of the 15 best places in Kansas for a couple to live on only social security.
For cities that gained an equal score, their cost of living index was used as a tie-breaker. The resulting list is presented in ascending order.
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Here are the 15 best places in Kansas for a couple to live on only Social Security:
15. Haysville
Insider Monkey Score: 77
Livability Score: 73
IM Cost of Living: 84.9
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $895
Starting off our list of the best places in Kansas for a couple to live on only Social Security is the Sedgwick County city of Haysville. With a cost of living that is more than 15% below the national average and a median rental figure below the $900 mark, retired couples will see their Social Security checks go a long way. Popularly called the ‘Peach Capital of Kansas’, Haysville is home to a range of leisure outlets including the Haysville Hometown Market and Riggs Park.
14. Topeka
Insider Monkey Score: 77
Livability Score: 69
IM Cost of Living: 82.2
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $825
Our next pick is the capital of the state of Kansas – the Shawnee County city of Topeka. A historical city, Topeka is the place where the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Supreme Court case took place, effectively making racial segregation in public schools illegal. Today, residents can find lots to do in the city, including visiting Gage Park, the Combat Air Museum, and the NOTO Arts Center.
13. Liberal
Insider Monkey Score: 78
Livability Score: 71
IM Cost of Living: 75.6
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $1,150
Set in Kansas’ southwest region, the Seward County city of Liberal is perfect for retirees who are looking for a sparse suburban feel. With a population of just under 19,300 at the time of the last United States Census, the city is the ideal mix of city life and peaceful living. Residents can visit the Southgate Cinema 6, the Baker Arts Center, and the Adventure Bay Family Water Park.
12. Pittsburg
Insider Monkey Score: 80
Livability Score: 65
IM Cost of Living: 76
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $775
A college town by way of Pittsburg State University, the Crawford County city of Pittsburg is home to some 20,600 residents as per the last United States Census. Residents can relax with a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including at the Pittsburg Aquatic Center, Schlanger Park, and the Crawford County Historical Museum.
11. Lawrence
Insider Monkey Score: 81
Livability Score: 88
IM Cost of Living: 88
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $995
Set in Douglas County in Kansas’ northeast region, the city of Lawrence is another college town on our list. Home to the University of Kansas, Lawrence is one of the bigger cities on our list with a population of almost 96,000 at the time of the latest United States Census. Residents can visit the Spencer Museum of Art, the Prairie Park Nature Center, and the Lawrence Public Library – all while enjoying the benefit of a relatively affordable cost of living.
10. Osage City
Insider Monkey Score: 82
Livability Score: 67
IM Cost of Living: 79
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $750
Claiming the tenth spot on our list of the best places in Kansas for a couple to live on only Social Security is Osage City. Set in a county of the same name, Osage City is a small place with a population of less than 3,000 residents – perfect for retired couples looking for some peace and quiet during their Golden Years. Retirees can visit the Eisenhower State Park, grab a bite at Marilynn’s Place, and finish the day with a late-night grocery run at Jerry’s Thriftway.
9. Wellington
Insider Monkey Score: 83
Livability Score: 66
IM Cost of Living: 80.8
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $495
A Sumner County pick, the city of Wellington is best known for the attractions that it offers to its residents. Some of the city’s most popular spots are its museums, including the Panhandle Railroad Museum, the Chisholm Trail Museum, and the NDGA National Glass Museum. Residents can also enjoy a meal out in the city, with some of Wellington’s best eateries being Penny’s Diner and Fabiola’s Restaurant.
8. Winfield
Insider Monkey Score: 85
Livability Score: 71
IM Cost of Living: 74.7
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $950
The city of Winfield affords residents stunning views of the Walnut River along which it is set. Located in Cowley County, senior citizens will be able to benefit from a relatively affordable cost of living when they retire in this college town. Residents can partake in a range of indoor and outdoor activities along with indulging in great eats around the city.
7. Fort Scott
Insider Monkey Score: 86
Livability Score: 65
IM Cost of Living: 74.8
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $725
Named after Gen. Winfield Scott, the city of Fort Scott is set in Bourbon County. Although a small city, Fort Scott provides all the necessary amenities such as a medical clinic, grocery stores, and even a post office. Residents can play a round at the Woodland Hills Golf Course, explore history at the Gordon Parks Museum, and appreciate art at The Artificers art gallery.
6. Manhattan
Insider Monkey Score: 87
Livability Score: 81
IM Cost of Living: 86.5
Median Two-Bedroom Rental: $850
A city set on two rivers – the Big Blue River and Kansas River – Manhattan is home to almost 54,000 residents as per the last United States Census. Retirees who choose to move to the city can take advantage of the city’s many benefits including its reasonable cost of living and high livability score. Residents can spend time in nature as well as at the many attractions located around Manhattan.
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Disclosure: none. 15 Best Places in Kansas for a Couple to Live on Only Social Security is originally published on Insider Monkey.