Alabama vs Kansas Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$85,131
in Alabama
$84,842
in Kansas
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Alabama | Kansas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 71.2 | 76.9 | -7% |
| Groceries | 97.5 | 95.9 | +2% |
| Utilities | 98.0 | 98.1 | 0% |
| Transportation | 90.5 | 90.7 | 0% |
| Healthcare | 91.2 | 94.5 | -3% |
| Dining & Misc | 95.1 | 91.4 | +4% |
| Overall | 88.1 | 88.4 | 0% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Alabama.
What things actually cost
| Item | Alabama | Kansas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $220,000 | $215,000 | +$5,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $997/mo | $1,077/mo | $80 |
| Gas price | $3.13/gal | $2.96/gal | +$0.17 |
| Electric bill | $105/mo | $99/mo | +$6 |
| Infant childcare | $7,871/yr | $9,105/yr | $1,234 |
Salary equivalent: Alabama → Kansas
What a Alabama salary buys you in Kansas, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Alabama | Equivalent in Kansas | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,170 | $-170 |
| $75,000 | $75,255 | $-255 |
| $100,000 | $100,341 | $-341 |
| $150,000 | $150,511 | $-511 |
| $200,000 | $200,681 | $-681 |
Positive = your money goes further in Kansas. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Alabama and Kansas have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 88.1 and 88.4 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or Kansas?
Alabama and Kansas have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Alabama cheaper than Kansas?
Alabama and Kansas cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Kansas more expensive than Alabama?
Alabama and Kansas have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in Kansas equals $100,000 in Alabama?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Alabama, you would need approximately $100,341 in Kansas. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (88.1 vs 88.4).
How do housing costs compare between Alabama and Kansas?
Housing is cheaper in Kansas. Median home prices are $220,000 in Alabama vs $215,000 in Kansas — a $5,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $997/mo vs $1,077/mo.
What costs more in Alabama vs Kansas?
Housing is 7% lower in Alabama (index 71.2 vs 76.9). Dining & Misc is 4% higher in Alabama (index 95.1 vs 91.4). Healthcare is 3% lower in Alabama (index 91.2 vs 94.5).
Is gas cheaper in Alabama or Kansas?
Gas averages $3.13/gallon in Alabama and $2.96/gallon in Kansas — a $0.17 difference per gallon.
Alabama vs Kansas cost of living — how do they compare?
Alabama has an overall cost-of-living index of 88.1 and Kansas has 88.4 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Alabama and Kansas?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Alabama allows a full deduction of federal income taxes paid on state returns, which is unusual among states. Kansas uses a progressive income tax with 3 brackets and a top rate of 5.70% above $30,000. Use the Alabama vs Kansas paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Alabama and Kansas?
Alabama requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Kansas requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Alabama Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Kansas Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Alabama vs Kansas Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Alabama — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in Kansas — How much house can you afford?
- Alabama Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Kansas Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Alabama Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Kansas Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Alabama Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Kansas Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.