Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $1,142 in Tennessee. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 33% cheaper on rent than Tennessee, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $63,204 in Tennessee. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
7%
+0.5 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
None
+5.6 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$1,142
+50% in Tennessee
Median Home Value
$179,500
$270,100
+50% in Tennessee
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$63,204
+0% in Tennessee
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
61.3°F
+4.3°F in Tennessee
Kansas vs Tennessee — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Tennessee?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 33% below Tennessee's $1,142, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Tennessee?
- 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 $46,000 in Tennessee.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Tennessee?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/2 cities we track in Kansas/Tennessee — 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.