c.1921 Kansas High School Is For Sale on 0.9 Acre $75K

Pros of Living in Glasco, KS

1. Extremely Affordable Cost of Living & Housing

• The overall cost of living is about 29% below the national average and around 15% lower than the Kansas average. You can get by on as little as $13,680/year for a family, and $21,200 for a single person.

• Housing is very budget-friendly:

  • Median home price: ~$49,000–$71,600 (around 73–79% lower than national median).

  • Median rent: ~$678/month—51% less than the national average.

2. High Homeownership

• Around 85–91% of residents are homeowners—well above national averages.

3. Well-Rated Health & Safety Infrastructure

• Glasco scores an A+ for health & safety, boasting good air quality and strong access to healthcare, police, and fire services.

4. Walkability

• The town earns excellent walkability scores, making many daily errands possible on foot.

5. Good Employment Metrics

• Glasco maintains a respectable employment profile, scoring a B for jobs and C+ on overall employment metrics. Median household income (~$54,000) matches or slightly exceeds the Kansas average, with a very low unemployment rate around 1–1.4%.

6. Community Activities & Local Culture

• Glasco offers a tight-knit rural feel with community offerings like:

  • City Park (pool, playground, courts)

  • Local historic museum

  • Free University classes and programs

  • Downtown historic district with stained-glass churches and antiques shops, including “The Hodge Podge” and the Corner Store.

7. Stable Size & Livability

• With a population between 400–514, Glasco provides a small-town, calming environment. The population has stabilized—after declining ~6% over five years, the past year saw modest growth (+0.4%).

Cons of Living in Glasco, KS

1. High Crime Rates

• Crime is significantly above average:

  • 60% higher than U.S. average

  • Violent crime: +71% above national average, with a 1-in-28 chance of being a victim.

  • CrimeGrade assigns overall F, with property crime also graded F. Only 3% of U.S. cities are less safe.

2. Limited Amenities

• Many essential amenities aren’t within walking distance. Public transit is virtually non-existent, meaning a car is required for most errands.

3. Education Quality Concerns

• Schools are a weak point:

  • Graduation rate: ~83% (slightly below Kansas average)

  • Test scores ~38%—rated F.

  • Niche gives schools C–, and overall town grade C+; diversity is limited (C+) and nightlife is minimal (C–).

4. Lack of Diversity

• The community is overwhelmingly White (~98.6%).

5. Small Size Means Limited Facilities

• Very small population implies few shops, entertainment options, or economic venues. Residents mentioned a shuttered downtown and reliance on nearby larger towns for retail.

6. Aging Population

• Median age is quite high (~51 years old), and only ~14.3% hold bachelor’s degrees