Cost of Living in Kansas (KS)
Compare costs across 2 Kansas cities. From home services to salaries, see how KS stacks up against the national average.
2
Cities
85
Avg Cost Index
$49K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Kansas's average cost index is 85, which is below the national baseline of 100. Topeka is the most affordable tracked city in KS at index 84, while Wichita is the most expensive at index 85.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 1 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Kansas Highlights: Most affordable city: Topeka (index 84). Most expensive: Wichita (index 85). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 1 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
85/100
Kansas is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Topeka
Topeka has a cost index of 84.
Most expensive
Wichita
Wichita has a cost index of 85.
Income average
$49K
Average median household income across 2 tracked KS cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Kansas
Kansas State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Kansas.
State Income Tax
3.1-5.7%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
8.71%
6.5% state + 2.21% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
1.41%
~$4,230/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Kansas uses a progressive income tax at 3.1-5.7%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Topeka if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Kansas.
- Compare Wichita against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.