Kansas
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B, better than 51% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 55% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 39% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B, better than 53% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B+, better than 73% of US states
- top 12% for commute time
- top 16% for sunny days
- bottom 16% for sales tax
Kansas is a U.S. state with about 2,936,000 residents. It grades B+ for lifestyle & connectivity and C for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include commute time, sunny days, and unemployment. It rates lower on sales tax and comfortable days.
Official websitekansas.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in Kansas is $199k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Kansas is $72k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Kansas is $984 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Kansas has a violent crime rate of 1526/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Kansas is 20 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$72k45th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$47kbetter than 72% of US states
Home Value$199k20th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$984better than 67% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$67kbetter than 67% of US states
Property Tax Rate1.38%better than 27% of US states
Income Tax5.66%better than 46% of US states
Sales Tax8.75%better than 16% of US states
Estimated total tax burden12.16%better than 34% of US states
Unemployment4.0%better than 76% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)31°F47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)80°F75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation36.2 in31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall13.0 inbetter than 55% of US states
Sunny Days256 daysbetter than 84% of US states
Summer Humidity66°Fbetter than 35% of US states
Comfortable Days64 daysbetter than 16% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk71.3better than 73% of US states
Air Quality47 AQIbetter than 48% of US states
School Quality57.3better than 46% of US states
Violent Crime1526/100kbetter than 26% of US states
Property Crime1960/100kbetter than 36% of US states
Community
Population2,935,92231st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age37.316th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3433rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0176th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1565th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)74.2%63rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)5.4%43rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)12.6%67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)3.0%53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.8%65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time20 minbetter than 88% of US states
Walkability8.6/20better than 47% of US states
Airport Distance95 mibetter than 24% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access88.0%better than 49% of US states
Amenities Nearby4.91better than 65% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 75% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Kansas an affordable place to live?
- Kansas is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $47k, better than 72% of comparable areas. Median rent is $984.
- Is Kansas safe?
- Kansas is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1526/100k (better than 26%). Property crime is 1960/100k.
- What is the weather like in Kansas?
- Kansas averages 80°F in July and 31°F in January, with 36.2 in of annual precipitation and about 256 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Kansas?
- Public-school quality in Kansas is about average, scoring better than 46% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Kansas?
- The average one-way commute in Kansas is 20 min.