Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Emporia, KS

    Is Emporia a good place to live?

    Watch Emporia

    Emporia ranks #7 of 17 Kansas cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (56/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.1% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $127,500
    +1.8% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $793
    per month
    Household income
    $52,787
    median
    Unemployment
    2.9%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Emporia

    The median home value in Emporia is $127,500 and median rent is $793 a month, against a median household income of $52,787. Homes cost about 2.4× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Emporia crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Kansas the 2025 rate was 476 violent and 1,922 property crimes per 100,000 people — #6 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Emporia, KS

    Emporia has about 24,098 residents, 2.9% unemployment and 14% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Emporia with

    Emporia vs WichitaEmporia vs Overland ParkEmporia vs Kansas CityEmporia vs OlatheEmporia vs TopekaEmporia vs LawrenceEmporia vs ShawneeEmporia vs Lenexa

    More: Where to move in Kansas · Best counties in Kansas

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report