Cost of Living & Housing in Fort Scott
Fort Scott's cost of living centers on a real, genuine affordability advantage in housing, offset by an effective property tax rate that runs well above both the national median and Kansas's own statewide figures.
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Learn moreGenuinely affordable housing, with a real cross-source spread to confirm
Fort Scott's own housing figures range from Ownwell's own $63,350 median price to a separately cited $78,000 city median/typical value, with Bourbon County's broader median running approximately $76,400 -- this record discloses the spread rather than resolving it to one number (base record).
A 1.92% effective property tax rate, well above the national and state medians
Fort Scott's own 1.92% effective property tax rate (Ownwell) produces a $1,192 median annual tax bill -- well above both the national median rate and Kansas's own statewide figures, even though the low home prices keep the dollar bill modest (base record).
Kansas's 5.20%/5.58% two-bracket income tax and full Social Security exemption
Kansas's real, current individual income tax is a two-bracket system -- 5.20% on the first $23,000 of taxable income for single filers, 5.58% above that -- with a full exemption for Social Security retirement income for all residents regardless of income level (base record).
Confirm current rent and employer data directly
A reliable, city-specific median rent figure and a confirmed, current named-employer list for Fort Scott were not found with confidence this pass -- confirm both directly with the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce (base record).
Key takeaways
- Fort Scott's housing runs genuinely affordable: approximately $63,350 to $78,000 depending on source.
- Fort Scott's own 1.92% effective property tax rate runs well above both the national and Kansas statewide medians, producing a $1,192 median annual bill.
- Kansas's 5.20%/5.58% two-bracket income tax and full Social Security exemption apply in Fort Scott as they do statewide.
- A confirmed, current rent figure and named-employer list were not found with confidence this pass -- confirm both directly.
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