Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $777 in Iowa versus $761 in Kansas. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Iowa, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,497 in Iowa and $63,072 in Kansas — about 2% 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
$777
$761
+2% in Iowa
Median Home Value
$177,100
$179,500
+1% in Kansas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,497
$63,072
+2% in Iowa
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.3°F
55.2°F
+5.9°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 2% below Iowa's $777, 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 $31,000 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 3/3 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.