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.
Is Kansas Affordable?
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.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Kansas is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Topeka has a cost index of 84.
Wichita has a cost index of 85.
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 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.
Cost by Category Across Kansas
Business Startup Costs
Legal Services
Compare Cities Within Kansas
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Popular Kansas cost & affordability searches
Frequently Asked Questions: Kansas Cost of Living
What is the cost of living in Kansas?
Kansas's average cost-of-living index is 85, which is 15% below the U.S. baseline of 100. Across 2 tracked cities, costs span from index 84 in Topeka to 85 in Wichita.
What is the cheapest city to live in Kansas?
Topeka is the most affordable tracked city in Kansas, with a cost index of 84 — roughly 16% below the national average.
What is the most expensive city in Kansas?
Wichita is the most expensive tracked city in Kansas, at a cost index of 85. The gap between Topeka and Wichita is 1 index points, so always budget at the city level.
What is the average household income in Kansas?
The average median household income across 2 tracked Kansas cities is about $48,983 per year.
Does Kansas have a state income tax?
Yes. Kansas levies a progressive state income tax at 3.1-5.7%, which affects your real take-home pay.
How much is sales tax in Kansas?
The combined sales tax in Kansas averages 8.71% — 6.5% at the state level plus 2.21% in average local tax.