Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $978 in New Jersey. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 22% cheaper on rent than New Jersey, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $48,416 in New Jersey — about 23% higher in Kansas. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6.625%
+0.1 pp in New Jersey
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
10.75%
+5.2 pp in New Jersey
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$978
+29% in New Jersey
Median Home Value
$179,500
$337,800
+88% in New Jersey
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$48,416
+23% in Kansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
54.9°F
+2.1°F in Kansas
Kansas vs New Jersey — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or New Jersey?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 22% below New Jersey's $978, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in New Jersey?
- 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 New Jersey.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or New Jersey?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Kansas/New Jersey — 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.