What it actually costs to live in Kansas.
Kansas’s cost-of-living index sits at 89 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #42 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in Kansas costs about 11% LESS than the US average. Median home price: $275,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $861/mo.
Kansas cost components
| Component | Kansas | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 89 | 100 |
| Median home price | $275,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $861/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $162/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How Kansas compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, Kansas ranks #42 for cost. That puts Kansas among the 10 most affordable — typical relocation candidates from CA/NY/MA looking for housing relief land here. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
Kansas metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Wichita has very different housing dynamics than smaller Kansas metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
More Kansas metros coming as we expand city coverage.
Kansas cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in Kansas?
Kansas's MERIC cost-of-living index is 89 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in Kansas costs about 11% less than the US average.
What is the median home price in Kansas?
Kansas's state-level median home price is approximately $275,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in Kansas?
Kansas's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $861/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any Kansas-specific cost-of-living quirks?
Kansas COL index ~87; Johnson County (KC suburbs) is the wealthiest pocket and one of the highest-income counties in the Midwest.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.