Cost of Living in Kansas
Updated November 2026 · population 2,947,197
Kansas prices are 9.9% below the US average (index 90.1), ranking 42nd most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 71.2, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,251 a month.
Prices by category
Kansas price index by category, US average = 100: All items 90.1, Housing (rents) 71.2, Goods 94.0, Utilities 88.4, Other services 93.8
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Kansas (whole state) | 90.1 |
| Metropolitan areas of Kansas | 91.5 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Kansas | 85.9 |
Cities in Kansas
Select a column heading to sort.
| Wichita | 397,945 | 88.4 | $2,189 | $4,606 | $975 | $190,800 |
| Overland Park | 200,306 | 95.4 | $2,731 | $5,401 | $1,515 | $413,600 |
| Kansas City | 155,135 | 90.5 | $2,268 | $4,681 | $1,123 | $167,400 |
| Olathe | 145,057 | 92.9 | $2,556 | $5,161 | $1,314 | $364,700 |
| Topeka | 125,786 | 89.0 | $2,146 | $4,574 | $979 | $144,200 |
| Lawrence | 96,051 | 89.9 | $2,384 | $4,868 | $1,091 | $292,700 |
| Shawnee | 68,542 | 93.0 | $2,587 | $5,253 | $1,322 | $359,700 |
| Lenexa | 58,384 | 94.6 | $2,768 | $5,375 | $1,454 | $394,900 |
| Manhattan | 54,239 | 89.7 | $2,265 | $4,790 | $1,003 | $246,700 |
| Emporia | 24,131 | 86.4 | $2,050 | $4,405 | $815 | $132,700 |
Metro areas in Kansas
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 92.5 | 86.6 |
| Lawrence, KS | 90.2 | 71.6 |
| Manhattan, KS | 90.2 | 72.0 |
| Wichita, KS | 88.9 | 66.2 |
| Topeka, KS | 88.8 | 65.0 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 86.4 | 55.4 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | 85.7 | 54.0 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Kansas.
Modelled monthly budget at Kansas average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Kansas (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $688 | $8,256 | 31% |
| Utilities | $232 | $2,784 | 10% |
| Food at home | $265 | $3,180 | 12% |
| Transportation | $579 | $6,948 | 26% |
| Health care | $330 | $3,960 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $157 | $1,884 | 7% |
| Total | $2,251 | $27,012 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Kansas (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $820 | $9,840 | 22% |
| Utilities | $369 | $4,428 | 10% |
| Food at home | $490 | $5,880 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,146 | $13,752 | 31% |
| Health care | $611 | $7,332 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $310 | $3,720 | 8% |
| Total | $3,746 | $44,952 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Kansas (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $991 | $11,892 | 21% |
| Utilities | $449 | $5,388 | 10% |
| Food at home | $698 | $8,376 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,526 | $18,312 | 33% |
| Health care | $569 | $6,828 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $399 | $4,788 | 9% |
| Total | $4,632 | $55,584 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
15.47¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +5.6% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +45.0% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Midwest region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 92.7 | 92.3 | 91.3 | 89.6 | 89.9 | 90.1 |
Change over the period: −2.7 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kansas an expensive state to live in?
Kansas has a cost of living index of 90.1 (US = 100), 9.9% below the US average. It ranks 42nd of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 71.2 (rank 40), goods 94.0, utilities 88.4 and other services 93.8. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Kansas?
At Kansas state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,251 for a single adult, $3,746 for a couple and $4,632 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 91.5 and nonmetro areas 85.9.
What is the median rent and home value in Kansas?
The median gross rent in Kansas is $1,060 a month and the median home value is $217,200 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 27.1% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 20.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Midwest region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology