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Quality of Life in Butler County
A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
Cost of Living
21% below national average
141%
The Real Cost of Living in Butler County for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $16k | $30k |
| Comfortable | $39k | $57k |
| Luxury | $124k+ | $193k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $146k+ | $227k+ |
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Butler County, Kansas, offers a quality-of-life spectrum that spans from the suburban-style convenience of its largest city, El Dorado, to the quiet, land-based independence of unincorporated communities like Rosalia and Latham. This diversity attracts a mix of residents: families and professionals who want affordable homes within commuting distance of Wichita, alongside farmers, ranchers, and retirees who prioritize space and a slower pace. The county’s character is defined by this contrast, where a 24-minute average commute can mean a trip to a regional job center or a short drive to a local grain elevator.
Largest town(s) & population centers
El Dorado is the county seat and the primary population hub, home to roughly 13,000 residents. Daily life here centers around the historic downtown square, El Dorado State Park (a 4,000-acre lake and recreation area), and a solid mix of local employers including the school district, the county government, and the nearby oil and gas industry. The town offers a full range of amenities—a hospital, grocery stores, a community college (Butler Community College), and a movie theater—making it a self-contained small city. Augusta, with about 9,000 residents, is the second-largest town and feels more like a bedroom community for Wichita, located just 15 miles west. Its walkable downtown, strong school system, and access to the Kansas Turnpike make it popular with families who want a small-town feel with a quick commute to the metro area. Both towns provide the county’s most concentrated retail and dining options, but neither feels urban; they are classic Great Plains county seats with a relaxed, neighborly atmosphere.
Smaller towns & rural pockets
Beyond the two main towns, Butler County is dotted with smaller communities that offer a distinctly quieter lifestyle. Rose Hill (pop. ~4,000) is a fast-growing suburb on the county’s western edge, known for its highly rated schools and new housing developments. Towanda (pop. ~1,500) and Whitewater (pop. ~700) are classic railroad towns with a handful of local businesses and a strong sense of community identity. Further east, Cassoday (pop. ~130) bills itself as “The Prairie Chicken Capital of the World” and is a true rural hamlet, with a single convenience store and a population that swells only for its annual motorcycle rally. Unincorporated areas like Rosalia and Latham are little more than crossroads with a few homes and grain silos, offering the most extreme version of rural life—total quiet, wide-open views, and a reliance on El Dorado or Wichita for most services. These pockets are ideal for those seeking acreage, privacy, and a direct connection to agricultural land.
Cost & lifestyle range
The cost of living varies noticeably across the county, though it remains well below national averages everywhere. The county’s overall cost-of-living index is 79 (100 = U.S. average), with a median home value of $199,600 and median rent of $984. At the higher end, newer subdivisions in Augusta and Rose Hill push home prices toward $300,000, reflecting demand from Wichita commuters and families seeking top-tier schools. In contrast, older homes in El Dorado’s central neighborhoods or fixer-uppers in Towanda can be found for under $150,000. At the lowest end, a small house or mobile home on a few acres in unincorporated areas like Latham or Cassoday might sell for under $100,000, with property taxes to match. Rent follows a similar pattern: a two-bedroom apartment in Augusta averages around $1,100, while a similar unit in El Dorado or a rental house in a smaller town can be found for $800–$900. The trade-off is clear: lower cost means fewer nearby amenities, longer drives for groceries or healthcare, and less access to high-speed internet in the most remote spots.
This county works best for people who value affordability and space over urban density. Families who want a strong school system and a short commute to Wichita will gravitate toward Augusta or Rose Hill. Retirees, remote workers, and outdoor enthusiasts who want lake access and a walkable downtown will find El Dorado a balanced choice. And those who prioritize land, privacy, and a self-sufficient lifestyle—hobby farmers, ranchers, or anyone seeking a true rural retreat—will feel at home in the small towns and open countryside of eastern Butler County. The common thread is a low cost of living and a pace of life that rewards those who are comfortable with a little distance between neighbors.
Crime in Butler County
Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Butler County, Kansas, presents a mixed safety profile that demands close attention from potential residents. With a violent crime rate of 447.8 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,806.8 per 100,000, the county sits above both the Kansas state average and national benchmarks, particularly for violent offenses. This data, drawn from the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) statistics, indicates that while many areas within the county remain peaceful, certain pockets and trends warrant careful consideration, especially for those moving from safer suburban or rural environments.
Crime in context
To understand Butler County’s numbers, they must be compared to broader averages. The national violent crime rate in recent years has hovered around 380-400 per 100,000, while Kansas’s state rate is approximately 410 per 100,000. Butler County’s 447.8 figure places it roughly 12-18% above the national average for violent crime. Property crime in the county (1,806.8 per 100,000) is slightly below the Kansas state average of about 2,100 per 100,000 but remains elevated compared to the safest rural counties in the region. The disparity is most pronounced in the county’s larger communities. El Dorado, the county seat and largest city, accounts for a disproportionate share of reported violent incidents, including aggravated assaults and robberies. Conversely, smaller towns like Augusta and Andover report lower violent crime rates, though property crime—particularly vehicle theft and burglary—remains a concern across all municipalities. The presence of the El Dorado Correctional Facility, a state prison, introduces a transient population that can skew local crime statistics, though direct impacts on surrounding neighborhoods are debated.
What residents experience
Daily life in Butler County varies significantly by location. In El Dorado, residents frequently cite concerns about drug-related offenses, including methamphetamine trafficking, which fuels much of the property crime and some violent encounters. The city’s police department has increased patrols in the downtown core and near the Walnut River corridor, but response times in outlying areas can lag. In Augusta, a community of roughly 9,000, residents report a stronger sense of security, with most crime limited to unlocked vehicle entries and occasional domestic disturbances. Andover, bordering Sedgwick County and Wichita, benefits from its proximity to a larger suburban police force and generally sees lower incident rates, though its growth has brought increased traffic-related thefts. A critical factor shaping safety is the judicial philosophy of the 13th Judicial District, which covers Butler County. The district has seen a shift toward more progressive sentencing practices in recent years, including expanded diversion programs and reduced bond amounts for non-violent offenders. While intended to reduce incarceration rates, these policies have drawn criticism from law enforcement and victims’ advocates, who argue they lead to higher recidivism and more criminals on the street. Residents in Rose Hill and Towanda have voiced concerns at county commission meetings about repeat property offenders cycling through the system without meaningful consequences.
Neighborhood-level variation is pronounced. The safest areas are generally the newer subdivisions in Andover and the rural outskirts of Cassoday, where violent crime is nearly nonexistent. The highest-risk zones are concentrated in central El Dorado, particularly around the downtown area and near the correctional facility, as well as along the Highway 54 corridor connecting to Wichita, which sees frequent drug trafficking stops. For those considering a move, consulting the Butler County Sheriff’s Office online crime map and speaking with local real estate agents about specific block-level data is strongly advised. Overall, Butler County offers affordable housing and a rural-suburban mix, but the elevated crime rates and progressive judicial trends mean newcomers should prioritize neighborhood research and consider home security investments.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-05-16T00:52:33.000Z
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