Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $877 in Kentucky. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 13% cheaper on rent than Kentucky, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $64,731 in Kentucky — about 3% higher in Kentucky. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6%
+0.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
3.50%
+2.1 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$877
+15% in Kentucky
Median Home Value
$179,500
$232,100
+29% in Kentucky
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$64,731
+3% in Kentucky
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
58.0°F
+1.0°F in Kentucky
Kansas vs Kentucky — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Kentucky?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 13% below Kentucky's $877, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Kentucky?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Kansas versus $35,000 in Kentucky.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Kentucky?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Kansas/Kentucky — 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.