Cost of Living for Kansas (2026)
Kansas (KS) Key Facts
Cost of Living Index
89
National Average Index
100
Median Household Income
$64,000
Approximate Median Rent (1 B R)
$850/month
State Income Tax Rate
5.7%
How This Calculator Works in Kansas
This cost of living calculator helps you compare salaries between Kansas and other states or cities by adjusting for purchasing power differences. Enter a salary and a target location to see what equivalent income you would need. It uses Kansas's cost of living index of 89 relative to the national average of 100 to provide an accurate comparison.
Kansas Overview
Kansas has a cost of living index of 89, where 100 represents the national average. Kansas has a below-average cost of living. The Kansas City metro on the eastern border is more expensive, while western Kansas is among the most affordable areas in the region. The median household income is $64,000, which has a purchasing power equivalent of approximately $71,910 in an average-cost location.
How Kansas Compares
Kansas's cost of living index of 89 compares to Missouri's 89 and Nebraska's 92. Residents in Kansas benefit from lower costs compared to the national average, meaning salaries stretch further here. The most affordable states like Mississippi (84) cost roughly 6% less than Kansas, while the most expensive like Hawaii (192) cost 116% more.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | COL Index: 89 | Missouri has a cost of living index of 89 and a median household income of $59,000. It has a similar cost of living to Kansas. |
| Nebraska | COL Index: 92 | Nebraska has a cost of living index of 92 and a median household income of $66,000. It is more expensive than Kansas. |
| Colorado | COL Index: 105 | Colorado has a cost of living index of 105 and a median household income of $80,000. It is more expensive than Kansas. |
The national average cost of living index is 100. Kansas's index of 89 is below the national average. States like Mississippi (84) and West Virginia (84) have the lowest cost of living, while Hawaii (192) and DC (148) have the highest. Kansas's median household income of $64,000 should be evaluated alongside its cost of living to understand real purchasing power.
Tips for Kansas Residents
- 1Kansas has a below-average cost of living. The Kansas City metro on the eastern border is more expensive, while western Kansas is among the most affordable areas in the region.
- 2Kansas's median household income of $64,000 has a real purchasing power of about $71,910 when adjusted to the national average. Compare this figure, not the raw salary, when evaluating cross-state moves or job offers.
- 3Kansas's top state income tax rate of 5.7% further reduces purchasing power beyond what the cost of living index alone shows. Factor in taxes when making state-to-state comparisons.
- 4When comparing job offers between states, adjust salaries by the cost of living index. A $60,000 salary in a state with an index of 90 provides more purchasing power than $70,000 in a state with an index above 105.
- 5Look beyond the state average — costs can vary dramatically within Kansas between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities. Research the specific city or county where you would live.