So, you’re curious about living in Kansas? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Kansas.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Kansas matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Kansas is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Kansas
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Kansas is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Kansas:
- Lots of open space.
- A low cost of living.
- Good schools.
- Outdoor activities that are available to explore year-round.
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Kansas:
- Summers can be brutal with high temperatures and humidity levels rising over 100 degrees Fahrenheit every day!
- And winters are notorious for being cold and snowy, which means you’ll need a lot more clothes than people who live further south.
Read More: Is Kansas a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Kansas
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Kansas? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Kansas!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Kansas.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Kansas:
- McPherson
- Prairie Village
- Wichita
Read More: Best Places to Live in Kansas
Checklist for Moving to Kansas
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Kansas. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Kansas.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Kansas:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Kansas driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Kansas
- Getting Kansas car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Kansas and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Kansas.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Kansas and your previous home state.
Visit your Kansas Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Kansas Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Kansas.
Things to Know About Living in Kansas
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Kansas, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Kansas
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Kansas ranks 2nd on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 86.8, meaning it’s a relatively cheap place to live.
Here is how Kansas scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 92.6
- Housing: 70
- Utilities: 100.1
- Transportation: 95.4
- Health: 100.3
- Miscellaneous: 90.3
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Kansas
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Kansas from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Kansas’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 6.5%, with an average local rate of 2.19% (the highest local sales tax rate is 4%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 8.69%.
Check with the Kansas tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Kansas
If you own or plan to own real estate in Kansas, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Kansas ranks 37th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 1.41%
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Kansas tax office for the most current tax rates.
Kansas’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Kansas is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Kansas ranks 32nd for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Manufacturing
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional and business services
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Finance and insurance
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information
- Construction
The top employer in Kansas is Walmart.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Kansas
Our Kansas moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Kansas is the World’s Largest Ball of Twine.
Facts about Kansas
Kansas is the 34th state of the United States that lies in the midwest region. To its north is Nebraska, to its south is Oklahoma, to its east is Missouri, and to its west is Colorado.
What is the capital of Kansas?
The capital of Kansas is Topeka.
Topeka is located in Shawnee County with a population of 127,473.
What is the population of Kansas?
The population of Kansas based on 2020 US Census data is 2,937,880.
What is the largest city in Kansas?
The largest city in Kansas is Wichita.
Wichita has a population of 389,225, and it is located in Sedgwick County.
What is the size of Kansas?
Kansas is 82,278 square miles, making it the 15th largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Kansas?
The state motto of Kansas is: Ad astra per aspera
What is the state bird of Kansas?
The state bird of Kansas is the Western meadowlark.
What is the state flower of Kansas?
The state flower of Kansas is the Sunflower.
What is the state tree of Kansas?
The state tree of Kansas is the Eastern Cottonwood.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Kansas?
The minimum wage in Kansas is $7.25 per hour.
What is the median income in Kansas?
The median annual household salary in Kansas is $58,218.