Pros of Howard, KS

1. Very low cost of living

• Cost of living is lower than national and state averages
   Housing, groceries, and daily expenses are cheap

This is the main reason people consider places like this.

2. Quiet, rural lifestyle

• Population is only about ~680 people
   Very little traffic, noise, or congestion

Good if you want:

• Privacy
• Land
• A slower pace of life

3. Strong small-town community

• Small population → people tend to know each other well
• Easier to build relationships and feel part of the town

4. Simple, low-stress environment

• No big-city chaos
• Slower, predictable lifestyle

 Appeals to retirees or people wanting to “get away from it all”

5. Above-average overall livability (on paper)

• Some rankings rate it above average overall when factoring cost, education, etc.

 But this is heavily influenced by low cost of living

 Cons of Howard, KS

1. High crime rates for its size (big surprise)

• Overall crime grade: F (very high compared to U.S.)
• Safer than only ~6% of cities nationwide
• Property crime also above average (D- grade)

 Important context:

• Total crime numbers are small (tiny town),
• BUT per capita rates look worse than expected

2. Extremely limited amenities (major drawback)

• Very few:
  • Stores
  • Restaurants
  • Healthcare options

 You’ll need to drive to nearby towns for almost everything

3. Very limited job opportunities

• Tiny local economy
• Few employers

 Most people:

• Commute
• Work remote
• Or rely on lower-paying local jobs

4. Very small population (can feel isolating)

• Under 700 residents

 This means:

• Almost no nightlife
• Limited social/dating pool
• Can feel very isolated, especially if you’re younger

5. Population decline / stagnation

• Population down about ~6% over 5 years

 Signals:

• Limited growth
• Fewer opportunities
• Less investment over time

6. Car dependency

• No public transportation
• You’ll need a car for:
  • Work
  • Groceries
  • Healthcare

7. Rural Kansas lifestyle isn’t for everyone

From community discussions:

“Low cost of living… but jobs also pay less”

 Translation:

• Cheap living comes with lower income potential
• Lifestyle is very quiet and conservative

 Bottom line

Howard is good if you want:

• Extremely cheap living
• Quiet, rural environment
• A simple, slow-paced lifestyle

Howard is NOT ideal if you want:

• Job opportunities or career growth
• Things to do (restaurants, entertainment, nightlife)
• Strong safety metrics (for its size)
• Social opportunities