Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $889 in Maine. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 14% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $58,096 in Maine — about 8% higher in Kansas. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
5.5%
+1.0 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
7.15%
+1.6 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$889
+17% in Maine
Median Home Value
$179,500
$214,200
+19% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$58,096
+8% in Kansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
55.2°F
45.8°F
+9.4°F in Kansas
Kansas vs Maine — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Maine?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 14% below Maine's $889, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Maine?
- 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 $36,000 in Maine.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Maine?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Kansas/Maine — 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.