Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $889 in New Mexico. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 14% cheaper on rent than New Mexico, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $65,604 in New Mexico — about 4% higher in New Mexico. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
4.875%
+1.6 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
5.90%
+0.3 pp in New Mexico
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$889
+17% in New Mexico
Median Home Value
$179,500
$266,700
+49% in New Mexico
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$65,604
+4% in New Mexico
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
57.2°F
+0.2°F in New Mexico
Kansas vs New Mexico — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or New Mexico?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 14% below New Mexico'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 New Mexico?
- 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 New Mexico.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or New Mexico?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Kansas/New Mexico — 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.