KansasPop. 54,239Smaller cities
Is Manhattan a Good Place to Live? Manhattan, Kansas: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Manhattan ranks #691 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #304 of 524 smaller cities and #13 of 20 in Kansas. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (17.3 min, #37 of 524) and low rents ($1,003/mo, #43 of 524), and trails on high poverty (23.3%, #487 of 524) and low household income ($60,172, #442 of 524).
Manhattan by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Manhattan's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Manhattan: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Manhattan safe?
What is the cost of living in Manhattan?
Manhattan's cost of living index is 90.2, 10% below the US level of 100 and #211 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,003/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $298,350, 20% above the typical Kansas home ($249,603).
| Measure | Manhattan | KansasKS | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 90.2#211 of 1,308 | 90.1 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $298,350#373 of 1,187 | $249,603 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,338/mo#196 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $246,700#387 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $1,003/mo#216 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 4.1x#604 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 20%#447 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Kansas is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Manhattan housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Manhattan is in the Manhattan, KS metro.
Kansas housing market →Is Manhattan safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Manhattan alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Manhattan crime rate or rank it on safety. Kansas as a whole records 457 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Manhattan?
The median household in Manhattan earns $60,172, 28% below the US figure of $83,163 and 20% below Kansas ($75,514). Unemployment is 3.1% (US 4.3%). 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.8% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Manhattan | KansasKS | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $83,163 | $60,172#1044 of 1,312 | $75,514 | $83,646 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.3% | 3.1%#131 of 1,058 | 3.8% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 23.3%#1200 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | +0.8%#279 of 1,132 | +0.4% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Kansas is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Manhattan?
The median resident of Manhattan is 25.7 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 53.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #210 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 43.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Manhattan | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 25.7 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 53.3%#210 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 43.5% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Manhattan's schools and health?
Manhattan's 11 public schools graduate 82% of students in four years (Kansas 89.1%), with 14.9 students per teacher and $13,446 spent per pupil. 27.1% of adults are obese and 7.1% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | Manhattan | KansasKS | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 82%#809 of 1,063 | 89.1% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.4 | 14.9#445 of 1,188 | — | 16.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $15,354 | $13,446#773 of 1,188 | — | $15,354 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 27.1%#229 of 1,311 | — | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 7.1%#52 of 1,311 | — | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 20.1%#1183 of 1,311 | — | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 9.7%#622 of 1,311 | — | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Kansas is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 6,549 students are enrolled in Manhattan's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Manhattan?
The average commute in Manhattan is 17.3 minutes (Kansas 20); 0.2% of workers take transit and 12.6% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Manhattan scores 9 of 20 (below average walkable), #835 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 77.6°F and winters 31.8°F, with 35.8 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Manhattan | KansasKS | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 17.3 min#156 of 1,312 | 20 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 4.2%#431 of 1,312 | 4% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 68.4% | 76% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 6.6% | 2.3% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 9#835 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Kansas is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39.6 | 18.7 | 0.6 |
| Feb | 45.1 | 22.1 | 1.1 |
| Mar | 56.3 | 31.5 | 2.2 |
| Apr | 66.4 | 42.2 | 3.4 |
| May | 75.9 | 54.1 | 5.2 |
| Jun | 85.8 | 64.3 | 5.5 |
| Jul | 90.8 | 69.3 | 4.6 |
| Aug | 89 | 66.4 | 4.4 |
| Sep | 81.3 | 57.1 | 3.4 |
| Oct | 69.1 | 44.1 | 2.5 |
| Nov | 54.6 | 31.8 | 1.6 |
| Dec | 43 | 22.5 | 1.2 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Manhattan.
| Measure | Manhattan | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 55°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 77.6°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 31.8°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 35.8 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Manhattan.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Manhattan?
The EPA has no air-quality monitor in Manhattan's county, so we have no air reading for it. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Riley County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, ice storm, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.13% of building value, lower than 64% of US counties.
| Measure | Manhattan | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.13%#500 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Riley County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Riley County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 0.011% | 86% of counties |
| Ice storm | 0.0038% | 84% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.017% | 80% of counties |
| Winter weather | 0.001% | 79% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0039% | 68% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0018% | 46% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.076% | 44% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Manhattan compare with similar-size cities?
Manhattan is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #304 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 54,239.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan, KSPop. 54,239 | #691 | 55.1 | $60,172 | $1,003/mo | no data | 17.3 min |
| Little Elm, TXPop. 54,820 | #601 | 56.7 | $119,219 | $1,953/mo | part year | 34.6 min |
| Peabody, MAPop. 54,695 | #322 | 61.6 | $96,657 | $1,950/mo | 292 | 25.8 min |
| Westfield, INPop. 54,677 | #20 | 72.7 | $122,789 | $1,667/mo | 66 | 25.1 min |
| Rocky Mount, NCPop. 54,297 | #1216 | 44.4 | $55,534 | $957/mo | 672 | 20.6 min |
| Kentwood, MIPop. 54,296 | #772 | 53.8 | $74,373 | $1,260/mo | 583 | 19.7 min |
| Hacienda Heights, CAPop. 54,291 | #754 | 54.1 | $109,193 | $2,300/mo | no data | 33.8 min |
| Twin Falls, IDPop. 54,164 | #627 | 56.3 | $61,205 | $1,082/mo | 359 | 15.7 min |
| Pensacola, FLPop. 54,036 | #835 | 52.7 | $74,212 | $1,322/mo | part year | 22 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Manhattan compare with the rest of Kansas?
Manhattan ranks #13 of the 20 Kansas cities we track, with a score of 55.1 against Kansas's statewide 55.1. Its households earn 20% below the Kansas median. Homes are 20% above the typical Kansas home.
| City | Rank in KS | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leawood, KSPop. 33,809 | #1 | 72.6 | $185,625 | $1,983/mo | 71 |
| Olathe, KSPop. 145,057 | #2 | 68.4 | $114,009 | $1,314/mo | 230 |
| Lenexa, KSPop. 58,384 | #3 | 68.3 | $103,239 | $1,454/mo | 180 |
| Overland Park, KSPop. 200,306 | #4 | 67.9 | $104,834 | $1,515/mo | 161 |
| Prairie Village, KSPop. 22,874 | #5 | 67.1 | $113,530 | $1,794/mo | 96 |
| Shawnee, KSPop. 68,542 | #6 | 66.0 | $109,940 | $1,322/mo | 228 |
| Gardner, KSPop. 24,526 | #7 | 64.8 | $96,818 | $1,306/mo | 185 |
| Salina, KSPop. 46,307 | #8 | 58.2 | $61,783 | $959/mo | 449 |
| Dodge City, KSPop. 27,613 | #9 | 57.4 | $68,721 | $1,045/mo | 185 |
| Garden City, KSPop. 27,819 | #10 | 56.5 | $72,865 | $1,052/mo | 486 |
| Lawrence, KSPop. 96,051 | #11 | 56.0 | $65,009 | $1,091/mo | 441 |
| Derby, KSPop. 26,062 | #12 | 55.8 | $84,112 | $1,136/mo | part year |
| Manhattan, KSPop. 54,239 | #13 | 55.1 | $60,172 | $1,003/mo | no data |
| Emporia, KSPop. 24,131 | #14 | 53.7 | $52,704 | $815/mo | 266 |
| Junction City, KSPop. 22,331 | #15 | 53.2 | $61,181 | $1,024/mo | 609 |
| Leavenworth, KSPop. 37,195 | #16 | 53.0 | $72,987 | $1,229/mo | 455 |
| Topeka, KSPop. 125,786 | #17 | 50.5 | $56,956 | $979/mo | 882 |
| Hutchinson, KSPop. 39,709 | #18 | 50.0 | $58,687 | $881/mo | 608 |
| Wichita, KSPop. 397,945 | #19 | 47.1 | $64,620 | $975/mo | 1,209 |
| Kansas City, KSPop. 155,135 | #20 | 45.5 | $62,401 | $1,123/mo | 981 |
All 20 Kansas cities we track, by overall score. Kansas statewide: median income $75,514, violent crime 457.2 per 100,000.
How is Manhattan's score calculated?
Manhattan scores 55.1 out of 100, #691 of 1,312 (grade C+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 9 of 11 categories with local data; safety and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Kansas's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 18% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Manhattan. Similar-size median 55.5.
51.5 - HealthCity data · 15% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Manhattan. Similar-size median 58.9.
66.1 - EducationCity data · 15% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Manhattan's public schools. Similar-size median 55.2.
52.4 - AffordabilityCity data · 12% of score
Manhattan's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
80.9 - Household financesCity data · 10% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Manhattan. Similar-size median 56.1.
23.4 - GrowthCity data · 9% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Manhattan. Similar-size median 42.4.
52.4 - TransportationCity data · 9% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Manhattan. Similar-size median 50.0.
59.1 - WalkabilityCity data · 9% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Manhattan's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
42.1 - EnvironmentCity data, some inputs missing · 5% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 50.8.
63.6 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Manhattan alone.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Manhattan's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Manhattan has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Manhattan
Is Manhattan, KS a good place to live?
Manhattan ranks #691 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #304 of 524 smaller cities and #13 of 20 in Kansas. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (17.3 min, #37 of 524) and low rents ($1,003/mo, #43 of 524), and trails on high poverty (23.3%, #487 of 524) and low household income ($60,172, #442 of 524).
What is the cost of living in Manhattan?
Manhattan's cost of living index is 90.2, 10% below the US level of 100 and #211 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,003/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $298,350, 20% above the typical Kansas home ($249,603).
Is Manhattan safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Manhattan alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Manhattan crime rate or rank it on safety. Kansas as a whole records 457 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Manhattan?
The median household in Manhattan earns $60,172, 28% below the US figure of $83,163 and 20% below Kansas ($75,514). Unemployment is 3.1% (US 4.3%). 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.8% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Manhattan?
Median rent in Manhattan is $1,003/mo (Census), #216 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,338/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 20% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Manhattan?
The typical home value in Manhattan is $298,350, up 4.9% in a year, against $249,603 for Kansas and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $246,700.
How are the public schools in Manhattan?
Manhattan's 11 public schools graduate 82% of students in four years (Kansas 89.1%), with 14.9 students per teacher and $13,446 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Manhattan?
The average commute is 17.3 minutes, #156 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 20 minutes across Kansas. 4.2% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Manhattan?
Manhattan averages 55°F over the year, 77.6°F in summer and 31.8°F in winter, with 35.8 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Manhattan walkable?
Manhattan scores 9 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #835 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Manhattan at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Riley County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, ice storm, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.13% of building value, lower than 64% of US counties.
Who lives in Manhattan?
Manhattan has 54,239 residents. The median resident of Manhattan is 25.7 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 53.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #210 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 43.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Manhattan compare with the rest of Kansas?
Manhattan ranks #13 of the 20 Kansas cities we track, with a score of 55.1 against Kansas's statewide 55.1. Its households earn 20% below the Kansas median. Homes are 20% above the typical Kansas home.
What cities are similar in size to Manhattan?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Manhattan's population of 54,239 are Little Elm, TX (#601 overall), Peabody, MA (#322 overall), Westfield, IN (#20 overall), Rocky Mount, NC (#1216 overall), and Kentwood, MI (#772 overall). Manhattan is #691.