Cost of Living in Kansas

(Last Updated – August 28, 2025)

Commonly known for its pop culture reference in The Wizard of Oz, Kansas offers plenty of potential for individuals who are looking for Midwestern charm and a low cost of living. Prospective transplants might appreciate metropolitan areas like Wichita and Overland Park, which are home to burgeoning job markets in lucrative industries like aviation, health care and tech.

However, tornado season from March through June can be a deterrent for some individuals. Additionally, the state’s politically conservative stance might not be a fit for those who desire a more progressive atmosphere.

If you’re thinking about relocating to the Sunflower State, here’s what to know about the cost of living in Kansas.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Kansas?

Based on data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Kansas had the seventh-lowest cost of living in the U.S. as of the first quarter of 2025. Each state is ranked using a cost-of-living index (COLI) number, with the national index score of 100 acting as a baseline. A COLI number below 100 is less expensive compared to the baseline, while a COLI above 100 indicates it’s more expensive than baseline.

Kansas’ COLI number is 89.7. For context, its neighboring states — Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma — have a COLI number at 92.4, 88.0, and 85.5, respectively. Its neighbor to the west, Colorado, has a COLI number of 104.0.

Here’s what you can expect for average annual expenses for certain spending categories.

Source: The Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Consumption Expenditures by State, 2023

Based on these figures, Kansas residents can expect average monthly expenses of $4,112 per person.

Housing Costs in Kansas

Average Housing Costs in Kansas: $1,731 (rent) to $2,396 (mortgage)

Relatively low housing costs help make Kansas one of the best affordable places in the U.S.

There are 1,310,506 housing units in Kansas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. August 2025 data from Zillow revealed that home values in the state average $242,980, lower than the national average home value of $368,581.

Below is the median monthly mortgage cost for a home and median rent by unit size.

•  Median monthly mortgage home loan cost: $1,638

•  Studio: $809

•  1 bedroom: $855

•  2 bedroom: $1,030

•  3 bedroom: $1,206

•  4 bedroom: $1,343

•  5 or more bedrooms: $1,385

•  Median gross rent: $1,036

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Kansas residents will also see notable differences in housing costs based on where they live. Below are a few major Kansas cities and the corresponding home values in each area, according to Zillow.

Source: Zillow, August 2025

Recommended: Finding Down Payment Assistance Programs

Utility Costs in Kansas

Average Utility Costs in Kansas: $365 per month

Recurring home utilities costs are a factor in the average cost of living in Kansas. Here’s what monthly utilities can run you while living in the state.

Groceries & Food

Average Food & Beverage Costs in Kansas: $377 per month

The Bureau of Economic Analysis found that Kansas’ per-capita expenses for food and beverages was $4,526, annually. The monthly breakdown comes to $377 for an average individual’s monthly food and beverage budget — or $1,508 per month for an average family of four.

Below are the grocery indices for a handful of Kansas areas, according to data from The Council for Community and Economic Research. All Kansas areas fall below the national COLI baseline for groceries.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research – Cost of Living Index, 2024 average

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in Kansas: $0,464 to $19,472 per year

Kansas offers various transportation services from RideKC, which runs through the Kansas City metro area to various bus transit services across the state. Transportation costs will vary by family size and transportation preferences.

MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, which was last updated on February 10, 2025, revealed that average annual transportation costs for a single adult with no children was $10,464. For two working adults without children, this increases to $12,110 annually, while a family of four spends an average of $19,472 annually on transportation.

Source: MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, February 2025

Health Care in Kansas

Average cost of health care in Kansas: $8,523 per person, per year

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis found that the per-capita cost for health care in Kansas is $8,523 per resident, annually. This estimate, however, is just that — an estimate. Actual costs vary by person, based on a range of factors, including your age, health care plan, and medical and treatment needs.

Child Care in Kansas

Average Child Care Costs in Kansas: $771 to $1,295 per child, per month

Child care is a substantial monthly expense for families and can dramatically impact affordability in a state. According to CostofChildCare.org, infant child care in Kansas costs at most $1,295 per month, per child. As children age, child care expenses are slightly lower at $995 for toddler care and $771 for a preschool-aged child. Home-based family child care averages $1,163 per month, per child.

Source: CostofChildCare.org

Taxes in Kansas

Maximum income tax rate: 5.58%

Kansas has a graduated-rate income tax structure. According to the Tax Foundation, the maximum statutory income tax rate in Kansas is 5.58%, higher than any state it borders.

Here’s how Kansas stacks up against nearby states.

Recommended: Mortgage Refinance

Miscellaneous Costs

After covering the cost of essential living expenses, Kansas rewards residents with a variety of low-cost attractions to pass the time. And many of those are family-friendly.

•  Botanica, The Wichita Gardens: $12 adult, general admission ticket.

•  Sedgwick County Zoo: Up to $23.99 adult ticket.

•  OZ Museum: $10 standard adult admission.

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Kansas?

Though Kansas has a fairly low cost of living, the income you need to comfortably live there is subjective. It depends on your family size, the city you choose to settle into, and your spending habits.

Based on MERIC’s cost of living data, the cost of living in Kansas ranks seventh for the lowest annual average cost of living index. U.S. News & Report revealed a similar assessment in its affordability ranking by state. It ranked Kansas eleventh in affordability with housing affordability ranking 10th most affordable state in the nation, which may be of particular interest to you if you’re buying your first home.

What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Kansas?

The following Kansas cities have some of the lowest cost of living, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research’s 2024 Average Cost of Living Index:

Pittsburg

Located in southeast Kansas near the Missouri border is the city of Pittsburg. It has a COLI of 82.1 and is home to Pittsburg State University. With a population of approximately 20,646, the city offers a vibrant community-oriented atmosphere.

Salina

Approximately 46,109 Kansans call Salina home. The micropolitan, which is located in north-central Kansas, has a cost of living index of 83.3. It’s primarily regarded for its trading and agricultural activity, namely wheat production and grain milling.

Topeka

Topeka, dubbed the “Golden City,” has a COLI of 86.3. It sits along the Kansas River and has a population of 125,467 residents. Aside from being the state capital, it’s known for its ties to the Civil Rights Movement, where Brown v. Board of Education began.

Helpful Resources for Future Kansas Residents