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Quality of Life in Wellsville, KS
Below-average lifestyle indicators. Cost of living, mobility, or neighborhood economic signals trail the national baseline.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
11% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Wellsville, KS for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $20k | $38k |
| Comfortable | $32k | $47k |
| Luxury | $99k+ | $153k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $116k+ | $180k+ |
142%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Limited data for this area
Limited data for this area
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
0 within 10 miles
Gas
12 within 10 miles
Hospital
6 within 20 miles
Airport
MCI — Kansas City International
Post Office
USPS — Edgerton, KS
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Wellsville, Kansas, offers a notably affordable quality of life that attracts a mix of families, long-term residents, and commuters seeking a quieter, lower-cost alternative to the Kansas City metro. With a cost of living index of 89—11 points below the U.S. average—the community is characterized by modest household incomes and a practical, no-frills lifestyle. The population skews toward middle-income earners, many of whom work in nearby Franklin County or commute to the Kansas City area, giving the town a stable, working-to-middle-class demographic profile.
Cost of living, housing market, and affordability compared to nearby towns
Wellsville’s housing market is a primary draw for budget-conscious buyers. The median home value sits at $166,100, significantly lower than the Kansas statewide median of roughly $200,000 and far below the Kansas City metro median of $280,000. Median rent is $1,264, which is competitive for the region but slightly above the national median rent of $1,200—reflecting limited rental inventory in this small town. Compared to nearby Ottawa (15 miles north) or Baldwin City (12 miles east), Wellsville homes are roughly 10–15% cheaper, though the trade-off is fewer local retail and dining options. The average commute of 30.5 minutes is typical for exurban Kansas; many residents drive to jobs in Ottawa, Lawrence, or the southern Kansas City suburbs, balancing lower housing costs against longer travel times. Property taxes in Franklin County are moderate, averaging about 1.2% of assessed value, which keeps monthly carrying costs manageable for most buyers.
Local amenities, schools, and what daily life feels like
Daily life in Wellsville centers on a compact downtown with a grocery store, a few local restaurants, and basic services like a pharmacy and hardware store. For major shopping, healthcare, or entertainment, residents drive 15–20 minutes to Ottawa (home to a Walmart Supercenter and a regional hospital) or 30 minutes to Lawrence for university-town amenities. The Wellsville Unified School District (USD 289) serves the community with one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school; the high school enrolls roughly 200 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of about 14:1, which is favorable for personalized instruction. Extracurriculars are limited compared to larger districts, but 4-H, FFA, and youth sports are active. The town’s recreation includes a small public park, a community swimming pool, and access to the Marais des Cygnes River for fishing and kayaking. The rhythm is slow and neighborly—most errands are done by mid-afternoon, and evenings are quiet, with few late-night options.
Wellsville is best suited for people who prioritize affordability and a low-key, rural lifestyle over urban convenience. Families with school-age children will appreciate the small class sizes and safe streets, while commuters willing to drive 30 minutes or more can access higher-paying jobs in Lawrence or the Kansas City suburbs. Retirees on fixed incomes also find the low housing costs and quiet atmosphere appealing. However, those seeking vibrant nightlife, diverse dining, or walkable urban amenities will likely feel constrained. For buyers and renters who value space, lower costs, and a tight-knit community, Wellsville represents a solid, practical choice in eastern Kansas.
Crime in Wellsville, KS
Lower crime rates than 94% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Wellsville, Kansas, presents a notably low-crime environment compared to both state and national benchmarks, with violent crime rates that are a fraction of the U.S. average. The city's violent crime rate of 51.8 incidents per 100,000 residents is roughly 85% lower than the national median, while the property crime rate of 310.9 per 100,000 sits well below the Kansas state average. This safety profile is characteristic of small, rural communities in Franklin County, where community cohesion and limited exposure to large-metro crime patterns contribute to a secure daily life.
Crime in context
Wellsville's violent crime rate is six times lower than the U.S. average of roughly 380 per 100,000, and its property crime rate is about half the national figure. Compared to the broader Kansas state rate of approximately 2,500 property crimes per 100,000, Wellsville's 310.9 figure is exceptionally low. The city's location in eastern Kansas, away from the concentrated crime corridors of the Kansas City metro area, helps insulate it from the elevated property and violent crime rates often seen in larger jurisdictions. For context, Franklin County as a whole reports crime rates that are significantly lower than those in nearby Johnson or Wyandotte counties, where progressive prosecutorial policies in some metro-area districts have been linked to higher recidivism and reduced public safety outcomes.
What residents experience
Residents of Wellsville typically report feeling safe walking their neighborhoods and leaving homes unlocked during the day. The most common property crimes are occasional vehicle break-ins and theft from unlocked sheds, rather than organized burglary rings. Violent incidents are rare and almost always involve known parties rather than random attacks. The city's small police force maintains a visible presence, and community watch efforts are active. Because Wellsville is not part of a large metro area with a liberal-leaning district attorney's office, the local justice system tends to prioritize accountability and victim rights, which residents view as a positive factor in maintaining low crime levels. There are no known patterns of gang activity or drug-related violence that affect the general public.
Neighborhood-level variation in Wellsville is minimal. The most significant difference is between the older, established core near Main Street and the newer subdivisions on the town's outskirts. The core area sees slightly higher foot traffic and occasional minor disturbances, while the outskirts are quieter with virtually no crime. The town's rural character means that properties on larger lots or at the edge of city limits may experience occasional trespassing or theft from outbuildings, but these incidents are infrequent. Overall, Wellsville offers a safety profile that is among the best in Franklin County, making it an attractive option for families and retirees seeking a low-risk environment.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-10-06T17:35:13.000Z
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