Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $1,195 in Virginia. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 36% cheaper on rent than Virginia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $64,017 in Virginia — about 1% higher in Virginia. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
5.3%
+1.2 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
5.75%
+0.2 pp in Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$1,195
+57% in Virginia
Median Home Value
$179,500
$328,100
+83% in Virginia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$64,017
+1% in Virginia
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
59.9°F
+2.9°F in Virginia
Kansas vs Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Virginia?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 36% below Virginia's $1,195, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Virginia?
- 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 $48,000 in Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Virginia?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Kansas/Virginia — 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.