City Profile

Manhattan, Kansas

USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Overall Score

Manhattan, Kansas, affectionately known as 'The Little Apple,' is a vibrant mid-sized city situated in the scenic Flint Hills region of northeast Kansas. Founded in 1855, the city has a rich history deeply intertwined with Kansas State University, which anchors its intellectual and cultural identity. Today, Manhattan combines the charm of a Midwestern college town with the amenities of a growing regional hub, attracting families, professionals, and students alike.

About Kansas

Kansas, known as the "Sunflower State," offers a blend of rural charm and urban development, characterized by friendly communities and a relaxed pace of life. Its economy is diverse, with major industries including agriculture (a leading producer of wheat, corn, and sorghum), aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and professional services. Living in Kansas is generally affordable, with a cost of living approximately 10-15% lower than the national average, particularly for housing. The state experiences four distinct seasons with warm to hot summers, mild to cold winters, and moderate humidity, though it is prone to severe weather like thunderstorms and tornadoes, especially in spring and early summer.

54,100

Population

$58K

Avg Salary

Cost Index

64.6

Quality Score

How this 65/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them

Component	Readings used	Points	Weight	Contributes
Safety	Safety score: 78 / 100	78.0	30%	23.4
Affordability	Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 95.0	50.0	25%	12.5
Economy & jobs	Median household income: $62,500 Income needed to live here: $50,000 Unemployment rate: 3.2%	70.6	20%	14.1
Growth	Population growth rate: 0.8% Job growth rate: 1.8%	50.5	15%	7.6
Business climate assessment	Business climate assessment: 70 / 100	70.0	10%	7.0
Overall score				64.6

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=54, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 16 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

Featured Events

Happening in Manhattan

Featured and sponsored events in Manhattan.

All events

Hosting an event in Manhattan? Featured events appear right here for everyone exploring Manhattan. Post yours free, or get it featured.

Post an event Feature my event

Local Directory

Businesses in Manhattan

Featured local businesses in Manhattan.

List your business

Put your business in front of people moving to Manhattan Featured businesses appear here for everyone researching Manhattan. Add a featured spot to your banner package, or start with a free listing.

Feature my business List free

Performance

Quality Scores

Business

Livability

Affordability

Growth

Expenses

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Manhattan is generally slightly below the national average, making it an attractive destination for budget-conscious families and young professionals. Housing costs, in particular, remain reasonable compared to major metropolitan areas, though demand near the university district can drive up local rental prices. Everyday goods, utilities, and transportation expenses track closely with broader state and regional trends.

Average Rent

$1,100/mo

Groceries

$400/mo

Transport

$110/mo

Utilities

$180/mo

Healthcare

$230/mo

Gym membership (monthly)

$45.00

Cinema ticket

$12.00

Restaurant meal (mid-range)

$20.00

Monthly groceries

$400.00

Doctor visit (without insurance)

$130.00

Income

Salary Insights

Manhattan's economy is strongly supported by higher education, government research, and healthcare sectors, with Kansas State University serving as the area's largest employer. Additionally, the proximity of Fort Riley brings a significant military and defense contracting presence that bolsters local employment stability. The city has cultivated an active entrepreneurial ecosystem, supported by local innovation incubators and steady workforce development initiatives.

The average salary in Manhattan is $58,000 per year. You would need approximately $50,000 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Healthcare & Social Assistance +2.40% Retail & Hospitality +1.80% Professional & Scientific Services +2.80% Education & Higher Education +1.50% Government & Military +1.20%

Weather

Climate

🌡️

57°F

Avg Temp

☀️

86°F

Summer High

❄️

21°F

Winter Low

🌧️

32.30"

Annual Rain

💧

68.00%

Humidity

🌤️

286

Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Getting around Manhattan is primarily centered on automobile travel, with well-maintained roadways and manageable traffic congestion during peak hours. Public transportation options include local fixed-route bus services provided by Flint Hills ATA, though most residents rely on personal vehicles. The city also features expanding bicycle infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly pathways, particularly in and around the downtown and university core.

16 min

Avg Commute

42.00/10

Transit Score

48.00/10

Walkability

High

Car Dependency

At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Cost of living sits approximately 5% below the national average per recent cost-of-living indices.

Exceptional public safety ratings with crime rates well below state and national medians.

Proximity to Tuttle Creek Lake offers vast outdoor recreation, boating, and hiking opportunities.

Vibrant arts, cultural events, and Division I Big 12 collegiate athletics anchored by K-State.

High educational attainment levels and strong local public school performance.

Drawbacks

Rental market can experience tight inventories and higher prices near the university campus.

Local economy is heavily reliant on the university and military base, creating vulnerability to state/federal budget shifts.

Limited commercial flight options out of Manhattan Regional Airport require driving to Kansas City for major travel.

Humid continental climate brings notably cold winter extremes and occasional severe spring weather.

Public transit options are somewhat limited outside of core fixed-route bus services.

Head to Head

Compare Manhattan

Manhattan VS Kansas City Manhattan VS Grants Pass Manhattan VS Binghamton Manhattan VS Cincinnati

Explore

Nearby Cities

Junction City

Emporia

Topeka

Salina

Community Q&A

Questions about Manhattan

What people ask about living in and moving to Manhattan, Kansas.

Ask a question

Gathering the most common questions about Manhattan…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Urblytica benchmarks its Cost of Living Index against a United States national average baseline of 100. A score of 115 means a city is approximately 15% more expensive than the national average, while a score of 85 indicates it is 15% more affordable. This composite calculation is weighted across six primary expenditure categories: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods.

Urblytica aggregates housing data from multiple authoritative sources, including Multiple Listing Service (MLS) feeds, municipal property tax registries, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), and verified historical deed transactions. This multi-tier aggregation ensures precision in tracking median home values and rental rates.

A municipality must meet minimum data-density thresholds—including consistent reporting population samples from the U.S. Census and active residential or commercial real estate transaction feeds—to ensure statistical significance before a complete scoring profile is published.

When primary agencies (such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or U.S. Census Bureau) issue historical data revisions or benchmark corrections, Urblytica's data pipeline automatically re-indexes affected historical archives to maintain longitudinal trend accuracy.

U.S. affordability calculations incorporate federal income tax brackets, state-specific income tax rates, and local municipal tax variations to evaluate the true net tax drag on median household earnings across different states and cities.

Local county and municipal property tax millage rates are factored directly into the housing component of the cost-of-living index to reflect recurring annual tax burdens for homeowners.

The platform aggregates state sales taxes alongside county and city surtaxes to measure consumer basket purchasing power parity accurately across different retail jurisdictions.

Utility calculations apply regional seasonal consumption weightings, incorporating high summer air conditioning loads in southern states and heavy winter heating demands in northern states.

The index tracks average out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, routine outpatient visit costs, and regional health insurance premium benchmarks published by federal health agencies.

Educational metrics aggregate state standardized testing benchmarks, student-to-teacher ratios, high school graduation rates, and per-pupil expenditure data published by state departments of education.