Kansas
Kansas ranks #24 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 60.4/100 and a B grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (82/100) and its weakest is Livability (28/100).
How Does Kansas Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Kansas
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Leawood | A+ | 67.5 | 33,844 | $184,976 | 101.1 | — |
| 89 | Olathe | A+ | 64.0 | 147,466 | $105,915 | 233.6 | 93.3 |
| 110 | Lenexa | A | 63.2 | 57,986 | $102,344 | 209.6 | — |
| 131 | Overland Park | A | 62.3 | 197,062 | $97,176 | 202.8 | 93.3 |
| 151 | Gardner | A | 61.7 | 24,020 | $92,579 | 219.4 | — |
| 161 | Shawnee | A | 61.3 | 69,417 | $100,016 | 218.3 | — |
| 225 | Prairie Village | B+ | 59.5 | 22,937 | $107,664 | 100.3 | — |
| 259 | Derby | B+ | 58.6 | 25,801 | $82,089 | 86.4 | — |
| 367 | Lawrence | B | 56.1 | 96,209 | $62,608 | 156.9 | 91 |
| 488 | Kansas City | B | 53.2 | 149,918 | $60,739 | 118.3 | 93.3 |
| 493 | Manhattan | B | 53.1 | 53,951 | $58,441 | — | 90.3 |
| 517 | Garden City | C+ | 52.6 | 27,781 | $72,511 | 583.1 | — |
| 537 | Dodge City | C+ | 52.2 | 27,652 | $67,958 | 381.4 | — |
| 583 | Salina | C+ | 51.3 | 46,432 | $60,624 | 540 | 113 |
| 595 | Emporia | C+ | 50.9 | 24,098 | $52,787 | 402.2 | — |
| 678 | Junction City | C | 48.7 | 22,431 | $60,317 | 743.2 | 92.1 |
| 687 | Hutchinson | C | 48.6 | 39,837 | $58,801 | 422.3 | — |
| 693 | Leavenworth | C | 48.5 | 37,176 | $71,239 | 689.8 | — |
| 818 | Topeka | D | 44.7 | 125,480 | $52,417 | 965.9 | 85.9 |
| 833 | Wichita | D | 44.2 | 396,123 | $61,281 | 1155.9 | 89.5 |
Best Cities in Kansas for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olathe | 65.7 | 66.1 | 83.6 | 73.1 |
| 2 | Leawood | 64.9 | 64.1 | 86.8 | 53.7 |
| 3 | Gardner | 64.5 | 66.9 | 87.6 | 67.9 |
| 4 | Lenexa | 63.8 | 60.8 | 83.0 | 64.0 |
| 5 | Overland Park | 63.7 | 61.8 | 77.9 | 70.6 |
More Midwest States
Kansas Rankings Overview
Kansas earns an overall grade of B with a composite score of 60.4 out of 100, ranking #24 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (82/100) while its biggest challenge is Livability (28/100).
Economy & Employment in Kansas
With an unemployment rate of 3.3% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Kansas performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $69,747, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Kansas
Kansas's violent crime rate of 360 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Kansas
Kansas ranks #29 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #16 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Kansas is 77.6 years, and the high school graduation rate is 88%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Kansas
Kansas's total tax burden is 9.33% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 5.58%. The effective property tax rate is 1.34% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.69%.
Housing & Affordability in Kansas
The median home price in Kansas is $279,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 90 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
Environment in Kansas
Kansas has a median air quality index of 40 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 61% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, one of the highest rates in the country. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 41.3 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Kansas
Kansas's population growth rate is +0.5% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -1.6 per 1,000 residents. 92.9% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Kansas
The top-ranked cities in Kansas based on our composite scoring are Leawood, Olathe, and Lenexa. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Kansas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kansas's overall ranking?
Kansas ranks #24 out of 50 states with a composite score of 60.4/100 and a grade of B.
Is Kansas a good place to live?
Kansas ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 60.4/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Kansas?
The violent crime rate in Kansas is 360 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Kansas's economy compare?
Kansas's median household income is $69,747 with an unemployment rate of 3.3%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Kansas?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Kansas are Leawood, Olathe, and Lenexa.
How does Kansas rank for families?
Kansas ranks #22 of 50 states for families with a score of 67.8/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Kansas rank for retirees?
Kansas ranks #23 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 61.3/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Kansas rank for remote workers?
Kansas ranks #16 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 59.9/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.