Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $1,332 in Washington. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 43% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $83,857 in Washington — about 25% higher in Washington. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6.5%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
None
+5.6 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$1,332
+75% in Washington
Median Home Value
$179,500
$454,600
+153% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$83,857
+33% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
52.1°F
+4.9°F in Kansas
Kansas vs Washington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Washington?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 43% below Washington's $1,332, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Washington?
- 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 $53,000 in Washington.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Washington?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Kansas/Washington — 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.