Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $1,418 in Maryland. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 46% cheaper on rent than Maryland, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $95,150 in Maryland — about 34% higher in Maryland. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6%
+0.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
6.50%
+0.9 pp in Maryland
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$1,418
+86% in Maryland
Median Home Value
$179,500
$365,200
+103% in Maryland
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$95,150
+51% in Maryland
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
57.1°F
+0.1°F in Maryland
Kansas vs Maryland — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Maryland?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 46% below Maryland's $1,418, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Maryland?
- 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 $57,000 in Maryland.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Maryland?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Kansas/Maryland — 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.