Attainable Housing and Economic Growth… Is It Possible to Have Both?

Buying a home. It’s always been a cornerstone of the American dream. We grow up envisioning the white picket fence and a lush backyard or maybe a cool condo in the heart of downtown, within walking distance to coffee shops and boutiques.

But according to the United States Senate Committee on the Budget, home ownership is drifting further out of reach for more Americans than ever before. And when housing becomes unattainable, it can launch a negative domino effect on economic development and the overall quality of life for residents.

“Unaffordable housing decreases job retention and lowers productivity. It can force businesses to relocate, taking job opportunities with them. A lack of available housing reduces local tax revenue, reducing local resources for education, public safety, and infrastructure,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) during the COB’s recent hearing, “A Blueprint for Prosperity: Expanding Housing Affordability.”

This is where Junction City-Geary County stands out!

It’s Different Here

Did you know the median price of a new home in our area is $207,000? That’s more than half of what you’ll pay on average in the rest of the country! According to a recent report from The Motley Fool, the average cost of a home in the United States has ballooned to $503,800.

Our attainable price points aren’t exclusive to one style of home, either. Whether you’re looking to get the keys to your first single-family starter home, upgrading to accommodate your growing family, or hoping to downsize to a condo as an empty nester, we offer a broad spectrum of homes to suit every budget and lifestyle.

And if homeownership isn’t what you’re looking for, the cost of renting here is also far less than the national average, clocking in at around $1,000/month vs. an average of $1,625/month throughout the rest of the country.

Attainable housing is just one of the reasons our residents can enjoy the best quality of life for significantly less. Even essentials such as food, healthcare, transportation, and utilities can be found at much lower price points than elsewhere.

Our low cost of living ensures that businesses and residents can easily put down roots at an affordable cost structure, which gives them the freedom to enjoy more disposable income to support our local economy.

A Higher Quality of Life

That lower cost of living doesn’t take a backseat to a higher quality of life, either.

Our region leads the way in K-12 education, offering excellent options for private schooling as well as an award-winning public education system that features small class sizes, an innovative STEM curriculum, and our new, state-of-the-art Junction City High School. We’ve also got a tremendous array of higher education institutions to choose from, too.

In addition to quality education, scenic recreation, a vibrant downtown area, and one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experiences are woven into the fabric of the community as well.

It just goes to show that attainable housing doesn’t require a sacrifice in the overall quality of life for a region. And Junction City-Geary County Economic Development Commission remains committed to ensuring that our residents don’t have to choose between a lower cost of living or a high quality of life.

Learn more about what sets our amazing community apart!