Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $758 in West Virginia. The two are close on rent, within a few percent of each other.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $43,146 in West Virginia — about 32% higher in Kansas. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6%
+0.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
4.82%
+0.8 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$758
+0% in Kansas
Median Home Value
$179,500
$187,300
+4% in West Virginia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$43,146
+32% in Kansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
55.2°F
55.7°F
+0.5°F in West Virginia
Kansas vs West Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or West Virginia?
- They're close. Median one-bedroom rent runs $761 in Kansas and $758 in West Virginia — within a few percent of each other.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in West 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 $30,000 in West Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or West Virginia?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Kansas/West 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.