Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in Iowa versus $761 in Kansas. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 13% cheaper on rent than Iowa, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,966 in Iowa and $63,072 in Kansas — about 1% higher in Iowa. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
5.58%
+1.8 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$761
+13% in Iowa
Median Home Value
$183,700
$179,500
+2% in Iowa
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,966
$63,072
+1% in Iowa
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
57.0°F
+6.1°F in Kansas
Iowa vs Kansas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Kansas?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 13% below Iowa's $870, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Iowa 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 $35,000 a year in Iowa versus $30,000 in Kansas.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or Kansas?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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 1/1 cities we track in Iowa/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.