Rows tagged local are specific to Newton (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Wichita, KS. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 3/10 (district Newton · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
89.4
metro-area
#23 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.5
metro-area
#97 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.09
metro-area
#22 of 200 metros
Median household income
$66,528
local
#2359 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$37,567
local
#2360 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
36.6 years
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
31.5%
metro-area
#117 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
7.4%
metro-area
#112 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
64.7%
metro-area
#122 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.35%
local
#1916 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-2.4%
local
#2757 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$137,600
local
#188 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.1×
local
#44 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.7%
metro-area
#36 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$72
local
#164 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,901 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$876
local
#164 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,264
Median days on market
11
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.2%
state
#140 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
8.70%
state
#149 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.58%
Capital gains tax
5.70%
state
#129 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.62%
local
#2440 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,234
local
#806 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
74.9 years
metro-area
#156 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#53 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
11.8%
metro-area
#152 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
85
metro-area
#55 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$75
state
#46 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.93% of value (~$540/yr)
state
#174 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#253 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
80.7%
metro-area
#184 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
20.5%
metro-area
#13 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.8¢/kWh
state
#64 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$142
state
#64 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.00/gal
state
#24 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$68
state
#94 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$92
state
#85 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$83
state
#135 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$3,300
state
#159 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,700
state
#80 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
89.6 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#100 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
47
metro-area
#107 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,400
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
93%
state
#87 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,900
metro-area
#125 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
58
metro-area
#137 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
10
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
92°F
metro-area
#163 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
30.0"
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
13.0"
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
65%
metro-area
#52 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
410
state
#110 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,400
state
#131 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
39
metro-area
#123 of 200 metros
Parks
57
Hiking areas
6
Golf courses
34
Shooting ranges
6
Lakes
19
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.