Kansas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Kansas City, KS

The median household in Kansas City, KS earns $62,401 a year ($5,200/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,358/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $54,320 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$62,401$5,200 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,358HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.5-7.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential KS
Census Population155,135Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Kansas City, KS

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,358Monthly market rent
Share of gross income26.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$54,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,560At 30% of $62,401
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Kansas City, KS

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kansas City, MO-KS HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Kansas City, KS
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,095$13,140$43,80021.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,197$14,364$47,88023%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,358$16,296$54,32026.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,769$21,228$70,76034%
4-Bedroom Home$2,103$25,236$84,12040.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Kansas City, KS →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Kansas City, KS

Based on the local median household income of $62,401/year ($5,200/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,600/moRent ($1,358 2-BR), utilities (~$141/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,560/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,040/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Kansas

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Kansas state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$62,401
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$62,401
Net 80%
Fed 9%
KS 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,637After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,136Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,909Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,308 / yr
Kansas state income tax$2,682 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,774 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Kansas with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Kansas City, KS

What is the median household income in Kansas City, KS?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Kansas City, KS is $62,401 per year (approximately $5,200 per month).

What is the average rent in Kansas City, KS?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Kansas City, KS are $1,095 for a studio, $1,197 for 1 bedroom, $1,358 for 2 bedrooms, $1,769 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,103 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Kansas City, KS compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Kansas City, KS is 92.5 (7.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Kansas City, KS?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,358/month) in Kansas City, KS requires a minimum gross household income of $54,320 per year ($4,527 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Kansas City, KS?

For a typical household earning the median income of $62,401/year ($5,200/month) in Kansas City, KS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,600/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,560/month to discretionary spending, and $1,040/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Kansas City, KS?

Residential electricity rates in Kansas average 15.7¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $141 per month.