Lane County's composite score of 70.9 sits well above the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This strong performance is driven by exceptional housing affordability that far outpaces most American markets.
2 / 5
Among Kansas's best performers
Lane ranks above Kansas's state average of 66.0, placing it solidly in the state's upper tier of livable counties. The county's cost advantage is the primary driver of this outperformance within Kansas.
3 / 5
Housing costs are among lowest
Lane's cost score of 90.9 is the highest in this dataset, with median home values of $119,000 and remarkable median rent of just $497/month. These figures make Lane exceptionally attractive for families focused on minimizing housing costs.
4 / 5
Income opportunities remain limited
Lane's income score of 18.0 paired with median household income of $53,042 reflects limited economic opportunity and earning potential. The tax score of 61.9 provides moderate relief, but critical data on health, safety, and education quality remain unavailable.
5 / 5
Ideal for extremely budget-conscious
Lane County is perfect for households that must minimize housing costs above all else—whether due to low income, large family size, or deliberate financial priorities. Remote workers and early retirees with portable income will find exceptional value.
Lane County's composite score of 70.9 sits well above the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This strong performance is driven by exceptional housing affordability that far outpaces most American markets.
Among Kansas's best performers
Lane ranks above Kansas's state average of 66.0, placing it solidly in the state's upper tier of livable counties. The county's cost advantage is the primary driver of this outperformance within Kansas.
Housing costs are among lowest
Lane's cost score of 90.9 is the highest in this dataset, with median home values of $119,000 and remarkable median rent of just $497/month. These figures make Lane exceptionally attractive for families focused on minimizing housing costs.
Income opportunities remain limited
Lane's income score of 18.0 paired with median household income of $53,042 reflects limited economic opportunity and earning potential. The tax score of 61.9 provides moderate relief, but critical data on health, safety, and education quality remain unavailable.
Ideal for extremely budget-conscious
Lane County is perfect for households that must minimize housing costs above all else—whether due to low income, large family size, or deliberate financial priorities. Remote workers and early retirees with portable income will find exceptional value.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛61.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.435%, Lane County's effective property tax rate sits nearly at the national median of 1.409%, making it a moderate-tax county nationally. The median property tax bill of $1,708 remains well below the national median of $2,690, thanks to lower median home values.
Lane ranks near Kansas average
Lane County's 1.435% effective rate falls below the Kansas statewide average of 1.549%, positioning it as a moderate-tax county within the state. The median tax of $1,708 trails the state median of $1,943 by $235 annually.
Lane sits mid-range among surrounding counties
Lane's 1.435% rate places it between Kiowa County (1.159%) and Labette County (1.628%) in the regional hierarchy. Lincoln County (1.546%) carries a slightly higher burden, while Linn County (1.094%) remains the most tax-friendly neighbor.
Your property tax on median home value
A home valued at $119,000 in Lane County carries an estimated annual property tax of $1,708. With mortgage escrow, your annual obligation reaches approximately $2,339.
Check your assessment for overvaluation
Lane County homeowners should verify their property assessments, as overvaluation affects many residents and remains appealable at no cost. A successful appeal can result in reduced tax obligations year after year.
Lane County boasts a rent-to-income ratio of just 11.2%, among the lowest in the nation for housing affordability. With median rent at only $497 per month and household income at $53,042, Lane residents spend less than half the national average on rents relative to earnings.
Kansas's most affordable county
Lane County dominates Kansas affordability rankings with an 11.2% rent-to-income ratio, far outpacing the state average of 14.7%. At just $497 monthly rent—$290 below the state median—Lane stands as a rare pocket of true affordability in Kansas.
Lane leads region on price
Lane County's $497 rent is dramatically lower than every neighboring county—roughly $200 to $300 less than Kiowa ($728), Logan ($796), or Lyon ($796). This pricing advantage, combined with Lane's modest $119,000 median home value, makes it the region's most budget-friendly option.
Lane's ultra-low housing costs
Renters in Lane spend just $497 monthly while homeowners pay $583, the lowest combined housing costs in the region with a median home value of $119,000. At 11.2% of income, Lane residents dedicate less than one-ninth of their earnings to housing—freeing up resources for other priorities.
Lane County: the affordability outlier
If cost of living is your primary concern, Lane County is hard to beat with rents 37% below the state median and a rent-to-income ratio of just 11.2%. Weigh this exceptional affordability against job availability and quality of life factors to see if rural Kansas living is the right fit.
Lane County's median household income of $53,042 trails the national median of $74,755 by $21,713—a 29% shortfall that reflects economic headwinds. This puts Lane among the lowest-income counties nationally.
Lowest-income county in sample
Lane County ranks notably below Kansas's state median of $64,428, with a gap of over $11,000. Its per capita income of $39,322 is among the highest in this sample, yet household incomes remain constrained.
Lowest earners in surrounding region
Lane County's $53,042 median trails nearly all neighbors, edging out only Lincoln County ($53,546). It faces tougher economic conditions than nearby Kiowa County ($73,214) and Logan County ($71,389).
Housing remains manageable despite low income
Lane's rent-to-income ratio of 11.2% is the lowest in this sample, indicating relatively affordable housing relative to earnings. The median home value of $119,000 is reasonable for a lower-income county.
Leverage affordability for future security
Lane County's affordable housing and modest incomes mean households should prioritize emergency savings and low-cost index investing to build long-term wealth. Small, regular contributions to retirement accounts yield outsized gains.
While Lane County's 15.5% poor or fair health rate provides some insight, life expectancy data is unavailable—limiting comparison to national benchmarks. The uninsured rate of 12.6% exceeds the U.S. average, suggesting coverage challenges may contribute to health concerns.
Uninsured rate exceeds state average
Lane County's 12.6% uninsured rate surpasses Kansas's 11.5% state average, making it a county where coverage gaps may affect health outcomes. Life expectancy data is not available for the county, limiting full comparison to state performance metrics.
Limited data hampers peer comparison
Life expectancy and provider density data for Lane County are unavailable, making direct comparison to neighboring counties difficult. However, the 12.6% uninsured rate ranks among the higher in this group, suggesting coverage challenges similar to or exceeding those in surrounding areas.
Coverage gaps present real barrier
Lane County's 12.6% uninsured rate—the highest among counties examined—likely delays care and increases emergency visits. Provider availability data is limited, but the uninsured rate suggests many residents may struggle to access consistent primary and mental health care.
Closing coverage gaps is critical
With 12.6% of Lane County residents uninsured, Health Department outreach and Healthcare.gov enrollment are essential resources. Getting covered protects your health and finances while enabling preventive care that reduces long-term medical costs.
Lane County's composite risk score of just 2.32 places it in the Very Low category, making it one of the safest counties in the nation. This exceptionally low rating means residents face minimal exposure to most major natural disasters.
Kansas's lowest-risk county
Lane County's score of 2.32 is by far the lowest in Kansas, less than one-tenth of the state average of 29.89. No other Kansas county comes close to Lane's exceptional safety profile.
Safest county in its region
Lane County's risk score is substantially lower than neighboring Logan County (7.38) and Lincoln County (13.52), both also considered very safe. Lane stands out as a natural disaster safe haven on the western Kansas plains.
Wildfire is Lane's main concern
Wildfire risk at 28.24 represents Lane County's highest natural hazard exposure, though this remains below statewide averages. Tornado risk scores just 21.91, making both threats relatively minor compared to most Kansas counties.
Standard homeowners insurance usually sufficient
Lane County's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance provides robust protection for most residents. However, those in rural or grassland areas should still verify wildfire coverage is included in their policy.