Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $964 in Michigan. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 21% cheaper on rent than Michigan, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $65,526 in Michigan — about 4% higher in Michigan. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6%
+0.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
4.25%
+1.3 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$964
+27% in Michigan
Median Home Value
$179,500
$225,500
+26% in Michigan
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$65,526
+4% in Michigan
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
55.2°F
49.1°F
+6.1°F in Kansas
Kansas vs Michigan — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Michigan?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 21% below Michigan's $964, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Michigan?
- 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 $39,000 in Michigan.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Michigan?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Kansas/Michigan — 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.