Quick answer
Kansas has lower average 1BR rent ($900/mo vs $1,368/mo). State income tax: Texas (None) vs Kansas (5.7% (top)) — on a $120K salary that's $6,840/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Kansas vs Texas
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Kansas vs Texas at a Glance
| Metric | Kansas | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $900 ✓ | $1,368 |
| Avg median home price | $180K ✓ | $372K |
| Cheapest city | Wichita ($900) ✓ | San Antonio ($1,180) |
| Priciest city | Wichita ($900) | Austin ($1,650) |
| State income tax | 5.7% (top) | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 35/100 | 41/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 5 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Texas (None).
Salary $80K
$4,560
/year saved in Texas
Salary $120K
$6,840
/year saved in Texas
Salary $200K
$11,400
/year saved in Texas
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Kansas (KS)
Tax reality
State income tax 5.7% (top bracket). Sales tax 6.5% state + local additions (up to 10.5% in some areas). Property tax 1.41% average. Combined effective tax on $150k income approaches $12,000 annually. No inheritance tax.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Tornado alley exposure: Kansas averages 96 tornadoes annually (2nd highest in US after Oklahoma). Spring 2024 had 60+ tornadoes in state. Storm shelters/insurance are essentials.
- ✕Extreme temperatures: summer heat 100°F+ for weeks (AC costs $300+/month June–August). Winter plains blizzards, ice storms, -20°F wind chills.
- ✕Rural depopulation severe: western Kansas lost 10% population 2010–2020. Main streets closed in small towns. Job prospects limited outside Wichita.
Texas (TX)
Tax reality
Texas has no state income tax — on $100K that's roughly $5,000-$9,000/year you keep vs California. The catch: Texas property tax averages 1.6-2.3% annually, among the highest in the US. For renters, it's a pure win. For homeowners, a $450K home costs you $7,200-$10,300/year in property tax.
Top cities (5 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summer heat is genuinely dangerous — 100°F+ days stretch from June through September, and the grid has failed multiple times (Uri 2021, summer 2023). Outdoor time is limited to early morning or after sundown.
- ✕Property taxes are the trade-off for no income tax. On a $450K home you'll pay $7,500-$10,500/year in property taxes — the highest in the country alongside New Jersey and Illinois.
- ✕Car dependency is near-total outside a few Austin and Houston neighborhoods. You will drive everywhere, including to the grocery store. Expect $400-$600/mo in all-in car costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas or Texas cheaper to live in?
Kansas has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $900/mo vs $1,368/mo in Texas, a $468/mo difference. Home prices: Kansas median is $180K vs $372K.
Kansas vs Texas: which has lower state income tax?
Texas has lower state income tax (None) vs 5.7% (top) in Kansas. On an $80K salary that's $4,560/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $11,400/year.
Should I move from Kansas to Texas?
State income tax 5.7% (top bracket). Sales tax 6.5% state + local additions (up to 10.5% in some areas). Property tax 1.41% average. Combined effective tax on $150k income approaches $12,000 annually. No inheritance tax.
What are the best cities in Kansas vs Texas?
Kansas's largest metros include Wichita. Texas's largest metros include Austin, Houston, Dallas. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Kansas suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.