Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,258 in Illinois versus $761 in Kansas. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 40% cheaper on rent than Illinois, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $90,109 in Illinois and $63,072 in Kansas — about 30% higher in Illinois. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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
6.25%
6.5%
+0.3 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
5.58%
+0.6 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$761
+40% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$179,500
+43% in Illinois
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$90,109
$63,072
+30% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.9°F
57.0°F
+7.1°F in Kansas
Illinois vs Kansas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Kansas?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 40% below Illinois's $1,258, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Illinois 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 $50,000 a year in Illinois versus $30,000 in Kansas.
- Which has lower taxes, Illinois or Kansas?
- Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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 3/1 cities we track in Illinois/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.