A good salary in Kansas goes far due to the state’s low cost of living, particularly affordable housing.
Quick Answer
| Situation | Good Salary | Comfortable Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Single, Kansas average | $45,000-$60,000 | $35,000-$45,000 |
| Single in Kansas City area | $50,000-$65,000 | $40,000-$50,000 |
| Single in Wichita | $45,000-$58,000 | $35,000-$45,000 |
| Family of 4 | $75,000-$95,000 | $60,000-$75,000 |
Key advantage: Kansas has a cost of living 12% below the national average with very affordable housing.
Why Kansas Is Affordable
Kansas benefits from:
- Very low housing costs (median home price ~$210,000)
- Low property taxes compared to neighboring Missouri
- Stable, diversified economy
- Central location with low transportation costs
Good Salary by Kansas City
Kansas City Metro (Kansas side)
The Kansas City metro spans two states with good job opportunities.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $35,000 | $58,000 |
| Comfortable | $48,000 | $78,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $65,000+ | $105,000+ |
Median home price: ~$290,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,150/month
Wichita
Wichita is Kansas’s largest city and aviation manufacturing hub.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $30,000 | $52,000 |
| Comfortable | $42,000 | $70,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $55,000+ | $90,000+ |
Median home price: ~$210,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$900/month
Topeka
Topeka, the state capital, offers affordable government employment.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $28,000 | $48,000 |
| Comfortable | $38,000 | $62,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $50,000+ | $82,000+ |
Median home price: ~$165,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$800/month
Lawrence
Lawrence is a college town with University of Kansas.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $32,000 | $55,000 |
| Comfortable | $45,000 | $72,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $58,000+ | $95,000+ |
Median home price: ~$275,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,000/month
How Much House Can You Afford in Kansas?
| Annual Salary | Max Home Price (28% rule) |
|---|---|
| $45,000 | $165,000-$180,000 |
| $60,000 | $220,000-$245,000 |
| $75,000 | $280,000-$310,000 |
| $95,000 | $360,000-$395,000 |
Kansas vs. Other States
| State | $55K Salary Take-Home | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $45,000 | 88 |
| Missouri | $45,200 | 89 |
| Nebraska | $45,500 | 92 |
| Oklahoma | $45,800 | 87 |
Kansas’s affordable housing is its biggest advantage.
Kansas State Income Tax
Kansas has a graduated income tax with three brackets:
- $0-$15,000: 3.1%
- $15,001-$30,000: 5.25%
- Over $30,000: 5.7%
The top rate of 5.7% is moderate compared to neighboring states.
Top Industries in Kansas
- Aviation/Aerospace (Spirit, Textron, Garmin) — Average salary $75,000+
- Agriculture — Average salary $50,000+
- Healthcare — Average salary $60,000+
- Government (Topeka) — Average salary $55,000+
- Manufacturing — Average salary $52,000+
- Oil & Gas — Average salary $70,000+
Related Guides
- What is a good salary in Missouri?
- What is a good salary in Nebraska?
- How much house on $55K salary?
- US Income Percentile Calculator