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Kansas vs Colorado: taxes, cost of living, laws

Kansas

Moderate tax burden · COL index 86

Wins 5 categories

VS

Colorado

Moderate tax burden · COL index 110

Wins 8 categories

Kansas's top income tax rate is 5.7% vs Colorado's 4.4%. Cost of living in Colorado (index 110) runs 28% higher than Kansas (index 86). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Kansas averages 1.24% annually vs Colorado's 0.48%. The median home in Colorado costs $545K vs $220K in Kansas.

Kansas
Colorado

Taxes

5.7%
Income Tax (top rate)
4.4%
1.24%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.48%/yr
8.68%
Sales Tax (avg)
7.76%
No
Social Security Tax
No
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

86
COL Index (100=avg)
110
$220K
Median Home Price
$545K
$1,050/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,850/mo
$5K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$3K/yr

Crime & Safety

410
Violent Crime / 100K
453
2,225
Property Crime / 100K
2,859
379
Sex Offenders / 100K
337
94
Homeless / 100K
314

Healthcare

#29 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#9 of 50
77.2 yrs
Life Expectancy
78.8 yrs
9.6%
Uninsured Rate
7.4%
No
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#26 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#9 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,050/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$1,600/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$130/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$130/mo
$440/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$530/mo
#3 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#30 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
A-
R+20.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+11.0

Category wins

5

Kansas

8

Colorado

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People Also Ask

Which state is better, Colorado or Kansas?

Study: Colorado Is Most Desirable State; Kansas And Nebraska Are Among Least Desirable. DENVER (CBS4) - A recent study looked at the most -- and least -- desirable states to move to and found Colorado was the top choice. More than 55% of people surveyed said they wanted to relocate to Colorado.

Are people moving to or leaving Colorado?

Overall, about 206,700 people left Colorado for another state. Meanwhile 182,500 moved in from elsewhere in the US. Newcomers from other states accounted for 3.1% of Colorado's population. Colorado ranked 45th among states in total domestic net migration, with a loss of 24,200 residents.

Are groceries cheaper in Kansas or Colorado?

The average cost of groceries in Colorado Springs, CO is 6.0% higher than Kansas City, KS. The average cost of utilities in Colorado Springs, CO is 18.0% lower than Kansas City, KS. The average cost of transportation in Colorado Springs, CO is 9.6% higher than Kansas City, KS.

Why is Kansas the best state to live in?

Low Cost of Living Kansas boasts one of the lowest costs of living in the country, making it an attractive option for people on a budget. Housing, groceries, and utilities are all more affordable than the national average, allowing residents to live comfortably without spending a fortune.

Full Kansas Profile →Full Colorado Profile →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable