Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $817 in Arkansas versus $761 in Kansas. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 7% cheaper on rent than Arkansas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $59,074 in Arkansas and $63,072 in Kansas — about 6% higher in Kansas. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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
6.5%
6.5%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.90%
5.58%
+1.7 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$817
$761
+7% in Arkansas
Median Home Value
$221,200
$179,500
+19% in Arkansas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$59,074
$63,072
+7% in Kansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.7°F
55.2°F
+6.5°F in Arkansas
Arkansas vs Kansas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas or Kansas?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 7% below Arkansas's $817, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Arkansas 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 $33,000 a year in Arkansas versus $30,000 in Kansas.
- Which has lower taxes, Arkansas or Kansas?
- Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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 Arkansas/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.