Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $900 in Alabama versus $761 in Kansas. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 15% cheaper on rent than Alabama, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,687 in Alabama and $63,072 in Kansas — about 12% higher in Kansas. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
6.5%
+2.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
5.58%
+0.6 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$900
$761
+15% in Alabama
Median Home Value
$148,500
$179,500
+21% in Kansas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,687
$63,072
+13% in Kansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
63.3°F
55.2°F
+8.1°F in Alabama
Alabama vs Kansas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or Kansas?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 15% below Alabama's $900, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alabama than in Kansas?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Alabama versus $30,000 in Kansas.
- Which has lower taxes, Alabama or Kansas?
- Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Alabama/Kansas — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.