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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Dollar for dollar, few states match Kansas's value. 4 out of 4 cities undercut the national cost index of 111. Leading the pack: Wichita at index 66, where median rent of $1,125/month saves renters $9,240/year versus the national median (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
Dollar for dollar, few states match Kansas's value. 4 out of 4 cities undercut the national cost index of 111. Leading the pack: Wichita at index 66, where median rent of $1,125/month saves renters $9,240/year versus the national median (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
What does daily life actually cost in Wichita? Start with the 21% rent-to-income ratio — that's the kind of margin that lets people build savings. On the category level, Housing (index 66) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 93) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $63,072 and homes at $198,074 round out a profile that ranks #1 for clear reasons (though the trend is moving in the right direction).
Look, Now, stack that against what people actually earn here: The 4 cities we track in Kansas paint a clearly affordable picture. Average cost index: 84. Median rent: $1,438/month — we had to double-check this one — . Household income: $83,761. Kansas is known for plains affordability with steady incomes — and the data backs that reputation convincingly.
Bottom line: Wichita leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers (a figure that keeps climbing, by the way).
#1 Ranked: Wichita — cost index 66, rent $1,125/mo, income $63,072
4 of 4 cities keep rent under 30% of $75K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
396,119 residents · Kansas
A closer look at Wichita: the cost index of 66 breaks down to a Housing index of 66 (strongest category) and a Healthcare index of 93 (weakest). Median rent is $1,125/month — 41% below the national median — while household income sits at $63,072, meaning locals spend about 21% of income on rent. That's a healthy margin by any standard.
125,475 residents · Kansas
What does daily life actually cost in Topeka? Start with the 25% rent-to-income ratio — tight but manageable for most households. And broadly, on the category level, Housing (index 68) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 94) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $55,902 and homes at $186,856 round out a profile that ranks #2 for clear reasons.
197,089 residents · Kansas
Overland Park earns its position at #3 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 97 cost index sits 14 points below the national baseline, and the $103,838 median income means purchasing power here is genuinely above average. Homes list at $470,417 — $3,047 above the national median, reflecting the local market dynamics. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 97, while Healthcare trails at 99.
147,461 residents · Kansas
Olathe earns its position at #4 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 105 cost index sits 6 points below the national baseline, and the $112,232 median income means purchasing power here is genuinely above average. Homes list at $425,657 — $41,713 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Healthcare leads the way at 101, while Housing trails at 105.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Wichita | 5.7% | 8.7% | 1.28% | $53,435 |
2Topeka | 5.7% | 8.7% | 1.28% | $53,435 |
3Overland Park | 5.7% | 8.7% | 1.28% | $53,435 |
4Olathe | 5.7% | 8.7% | 1.28% | $53,435 |
Wichita ranks #1 in Kansas for this analysis with a cost index of 66 and median income of $63,072.
Yes. On a $75K salary in Wichita, rent would consume about 18% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. You're well within that guideline.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Wichita (ranked #1) has a cost index of 66 and rent of $1,125/mo, while Olathe (ranked #4) has a cost index of 105 and rent of $1,792/mo — a 39-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Wichita is $1,125/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $770 below the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 5.7% state income tax, estimated take-home on $75K in Wichita is approximately $53,435/year ($4,453/month). After median rent of $1,125/month, you'd have roughly $39,935/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Wichita is $198,074, which is 3.1× the local median income. That's within the standard 3.5× affordability rule for most local earners. The national median home price is $467,370.
Kansas has a 5.7% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 8.7%, and the effective property tax rate is 1.28%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.