Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $804 in North Dakota. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than North Dakota, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $66,029 in North Dakota — about 4% higher in North Dakota. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
5%
+1.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
2.50%
+3.1 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$804
+6% in North Dakota
Median Home Value
$179,500
$269,800
+50% in North Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$66,029
+5% in North Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
42.4°F
+14.6°F in Kansas
Kansas vs North Dakota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or North Dakota?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 5% below North Dakota's $804, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in North Dakota?
- 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 $32,000 in North Dakota.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or North Dakota?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Kansas/North Dakota — 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.