Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $1,170 in Texas. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 35% cheaper on rent than Texas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $67,043 in Texas — about 6% higher in Texas. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6.25%
+0.3 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
None
+5.6 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$1,170
+54% in Texas
Median Home Value
$179,500
$264,900
+48% in Texas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$67,043
+6% in Texas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
67.2°F
+10.2°F in Texas
Kansas vs Texas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Texas?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 35% below Texas's $1,170, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Texas?
- 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 $47,000 in Texas.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Texas?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/8 cities we track in Kansas/Texas — 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.