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Cost of living in Kansas

Everyday prices in Kansas run 9.9% below the US average, the 10th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Kansas cities we cover

Cheapest first. Tap one for monthly costs, weather and flights.1,2,4

Kansas next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
KansasUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Kansas?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$85,540
Typical household incomeA year · 29th highest of 51
16%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,116/mo) against median income ($85,540). 5th lowest of 51.
3.5
Years of income to buy a home$296,000 median listing against $85,540 income. 3rd lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Kansas?

519 more people left Kansas for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Kansas

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Topeka, KS11% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $983
    Typical home
    $256,200
    Mortgage
    $1,408/mo
  2. 2Wichita, KS11% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,054
    Typical home
    $275,000
    Mortgage
    $1,511/mo

Kansas next to its neighbors

The states that border Kansas, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 4Oklahoma12% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,085
    Typical home
    $296,643
    Net moves
    +14,492
  2. 10KansasThis state10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,116
    Typical home
    $296,000
    Net moves
    -519
  3. 11Nebraska10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,194
    Typical home
    $335,000
    Net moves
    -366
  4. 13Missouri9% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,121
    Typical home
    $300,000
    Net moves
    +14,028
  5. 39Colorado3% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,900
    Typical home
    $564,000
    Net moves
    -12,100

Kansas by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Kansas next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Kansas90.171.2$296,000$1,627$1,116
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Kansas cities we cover

CityTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rentPrice level
Topeka$256,200$1,408$98388.8

Metro areas in Kansas

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Topeka, KS88.8$983$256,200
Wichita, KS88.9$1,054$275,000

Kansas next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Kansas90.1$1,116$296,000-519
Colorado103.1$1,900$564,000-12,100
Missouri90.8$1,121$300,000+14,028
Nebraska90.1$1,194$335,000-366
Oklahoma87.8$1,085$296,643+14,492

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-9,663
2020-21-4,610
2021-22-7,185
2022-23-5,284
2023-24-4,775
2024-25-519

States with a similar cost of living to Kansas

Keep comparing

Kansas cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Kansas?

Everyday prices in Kansas run 9.9% below the US average, the 10th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 71.2 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $296,000 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $1,627 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,116 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $120,023 in Kansas.

Is Kansas cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Kansas's regional price parity is 90.1, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 9.9% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Kansas?

The median listed home in Kansas is $296,000 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 6th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $1,627 a month.

How much is rent in Kansas?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Kansas is $1,116 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Kansas equals $150,000 in New York?

About $120,023, using BEA regional price parities for Kansas (90.1) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Kansas?

519 more people left Kansas for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Which Kansas cities do you cover?

Topeka ($256,200). Each has its own page with monthly costs, weather and flights.

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page