Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $1,100 in Pennsylvania. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 31% cheaper on rent than Pennsylvania, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $60,698 in Pennsylvania — about 4% higher in Kansas. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6%
+0.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
3.07%
+2.5 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$1,100
+45% in Pennsylvania
Median Home Value
$179,500
$193,200
+8% in Pennsylvania
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$60,698
+4% in Kansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
51.8°F
+5.2°F in Kansas
Kansas vs Pennsylvania — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Pennsylvania?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 31% below Pennsylvania's $1,100, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Pennsylvania?
- 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 $44,000 in Pennsylvania.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Pennsylvania?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Kansas/Pennsylvania — 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.