Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 35% cheaper on rent than Utah, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $74,925 in Utah — about 16% higher in Utah. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6.1%
+0.4 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
4.50%
+1.1 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$1,166
+53% in Utah
Median Home Value
$179,500
$495,700
+176% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$74,925
+19% in Utah
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
52.8°F
+4.2°F in Kansas
Kansas vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Utah?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 35% below Utah's $1,166, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Utah?
- 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 Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Utah?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Kansas/Utah — 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.