Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $761 in Kansas. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 33% cheaper on rent than Idaho, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $63,072 in Kansas — about 22% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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)
5.30%
5.58%
+0.3 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$761
+33% in Idaho
Median Home Value
$456,000
$179,500
+61% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$63,072
+22% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
57.0°F
+4.5°F in Kansas
Idaho vs Kansas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Kansas?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 33% below Idaho's $1,133, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho 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 $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $30,000 in Kansas.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Kansas?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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 Idaho/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.