Cost of Living in Kansas 2026 — Housing, Income & Taxes

📊 Kansas at a Glance — 2026

Cost of Living Index

US average = 100 · Below Average

Median Household Income

$62,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS

Average 1BR Rent

$900/mo

Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index

State Income Tax

5.7%

Check official state rates

Average Home Price

$200,000

Source: Zillow Home Value Index

Salary Needed (30% rule)

$36,000

To keep housing under 30% of income

📈 Kansas vs the National Average

Cost of Living

Kansas runs 13% below the national average (index 87 vs. the U.S. baseline of 100). Kansas keeps costs low through wide-open land availability and a construction sector that isn't constrained by the geographic limits coastal states face. On the tax side, Kansas applies a graduated income tax with a relatively moderate top rate.

💡 What Salary Do You Need in Kansas?

Using the 50/30/20 budget rule, housing should cost no more than 30% of your gross income. With average rent at $900/month in Kansas, you need roughly $36,000/year to live comfortably without being housing-cost-burdened.

Find out exactly how much you take home after Kansas taxes

💰 Calculate Kansas Take-Home Pay → 🏡 See How Much Home You Can Afford →

Is Kansas expensive to live in?

Kansas's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the U.S. average — that's 13% below the national average. Kansas keeps costs low through wide-open land availability and a construction sector that isn't constrained by the geographic limits coastal states face. The biggest local industries are aerospace manufacturing (Wichita), agriculture, and energy, centered around Wichita and Kansas City (Kansas side).

What is the average rent in Kansas in 2026?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Kansas averages $900/month as of 2026 (Zillow Observed Rent Index). That's set against a median household income of $62,000/year, so rent alone runs roughly 17% of the typical household's pre-tax income.

What salary do you need to live in Kansas?

Following the standard 30%-of-income guideline for housing, you'd want roughly $36,000/year to cover Kansas's average rent comfortably. That's a general rule of thumb, not a hard rule — your real number depends on debt, family size, and where in Kansas you're looking. Our free paycheck calculator shows your actual take-home pay after Kansas taxes.

Does Kansas have a state income tax?

Kansas applies a graduated income tax with a relatively moderate top rate. The listed rate is 5.7%. Use our free paycheck calculator to see exactly how that affects your specific take-home pay.

🔗 More Free Tools

💰 PayCalc Pro — See your take-home pay after Kansas taxes 🏡 HomeBuy Calc — How much home can you afford in Kansas? 📊 Compare All 50 States — Cost of Living by State 2026

Cost of Living in Kansas 2026 — Full Guide

Kansas's cost of living index sits at 87, meaning it runs 13% below the national average. Kansas keeps costs low through wide-open land availability and a construction sector that isn't constrained by the geographic limits coastal states face.

Kansas's Economy

Kansas's economy centers on aerospace manufacturing (Wichita), agriculture, and energy, with most of that activity concentrated around Wichita and Kansas City (Kansas side). That local economic base shapes everything from job availability to how quickly housing supply responds to demand — a state built around a few large employers behaves very differently, cost-wise, than one with a diversified metro economy.

Housing Costs in Kansas

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kansas is approximately $900 per month in 2026. Average home values sit around $200,000. Kansas keeps costs low through wide-open land availability and a construction sector that isn't constrained by the geographic limits coastal states face.

Taxes in Kansas

Kansas applies a graduated income tax with a relatively moderate top rate. The current listed rate is 5.7%. Combined with federal taxes, this determines your real take-home pay — use our free paycheck calculator to see the exact impact on your specific salary rather than relying on a statewide average.

Data Sources

Cost of living index data is based on the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) methodology. Income figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS). Rent data is sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. All figures represent approximations and should be verified with official sources for financial planning.

All data is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.

Cost of Living inKansas 2026