Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $857 in New York. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 11% cheaper on rent than New York, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $48,050 in New York — about 24% higher in Kansas. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
4%
+2.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
10.90%
+5.3 pp in New York
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$857
+13% in New York
Median Home Value
$179,500
$152,300
+15% in Kansas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$48,050
+24% in Kansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
48.3°F
+8.7°F in Kansas
Kansas vs New York — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or New York?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 11% below New York's $857, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in New York?
- 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 $34,000 in New York.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or New York?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Kansas/New York — 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.