How much does it cost to live in Kansas?
On average, Kansas is less expensive than the rest of the United States. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis data, goods and services in the state cost 10% less than the national average, giving Kansas the 15th lowest overall cost of living when compared to all other states.
Cost of Living Parameters
Housing & Rent
One of the most significant components of the cost of living is housing. The average home in Kansas is worth $145,400. The median price of a home built in 1939 or before in the state is $78,800, while the median value of a home built in 2014 or after is $336,000.
The average renter in Kansas pays $831 per month for housing, which is $192 less than the national median monthly rent of $1,023. A one-bedroom apartment in the state costs $650 per month, while a property with five or more bedrooms costs $1,174.
Here are some stats on Kansas mortgages:
- Homeownership rate: 68.5%
- Homeowner vacancy rate: 1%
- Rental vacancy rate: 7.1%
Childcare
Child care costs thousands of dollars each year for most households. It costs an average of $13,002 per year in Kansas to care for a 4-year-old and an 8-year-old child, compared to the national average of $15,853.
Here’s a look at the average annual childcare costs from infant to college:
- Infant: $11,222
- 4-year-old: $8,798
- School: $8,260
- College: $8,737
Utilities
According to recent research by move.org, Kansas has a higher monthly utility rate than more than two dozen other states. In terms of monthly utility rates, the sunflower state is ranked 23rd. Kansans pay an average of $422.06 each month. The average monthly cost of electricity is $110.69, and the monthly cost of gas is $112.37.
Food & Groceries
While food prices are up 2.2% from 2020, Kansans had the second lowest grocery spend in the country. According to the move.org survey, price increases due to inflation, increased demand, and supply chain interruptions only cost Kansans roughly $261.35 per month for groceries.
The average price for eating out would be:
- A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant: $13.7
- Fast food combo (Big Mac etc.): $7.88
- Bottle of Coca-Cola: $1.77
- Bottle of water: $1.19
Groceries in the state would cost as follows:
- Milk (regular), (1 liter): $0.80
- Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): $2.36
- Rice (1 Kg): $3.57
- Eggs (regular) (12): $1.76
- 4 Rolls of toilet paper: $3.50
- Hair shampoo: $4.43
Transportation
Transportation costs can also add significantly to the cost of living. 91.3% of commuters in Kansas drive to work, compared to 85.5% nationally. The average driver in the state drives 11,083 miles per year.
Considering average fuel economy and average gas prices (normal gasoline costs an average of $2.00 per gallon in Kansas in mid-2020), the average Kansas driver can expect to spend $916 on petrol alone in a year. According to Insure.com, the average vehicle insurance rate in Kansas is $1,270, which is less than the national average of $1,517. As per EPI data, the average single adult in the state spends $10,292 on transportation each year.
Average Income & Taxes
The average yearly income of a single adult living in Kansas is $67,685. Kansas imposes a progressive income tax, with rates ranging from 3.10% to 5.70%. Local income taxes are also collected in some jurisdictions. Kansas has a corporate income tax rate ranging from 4% to 7%.
Most Expensive Kansas Cities to Live in
- Manhattan
- Prairie Village
- Lawrence
- Mission
- Merriam
Why is disability insurance important to have in Kansas?
As shown by the above cost of living breakdown, a steady income is required to live comfortably and worry-free. But sometimes you find yourself unable to work due to some sort of emergency, illness or accident. Whether you are a full-time employee or a freelancer, getting disability insurance is the first step towards financial stability and peace of mind.
What would happen if you found yourself unable to earn a paycheck because you were too ill or injured to work? According to a recent survey conducted by the personal financial website Bankrate, more than half of Americans (51%) have less than three months' worth of emergency funds.2
Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has claimed that 62.1% of bankruptcies were caused by medical issues. Other studies show that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses.
If medical bills start piling up, you’ll no longer be able to support your lifestyle in other areas, especially if your income is on hold. You might find yourself unable to pay for utilities and rent, and that eventually could lead to foreclosure. Half of the foreclosures on conventional mortgages in Kansas are caused by the disability of one of the homeowners. In fact, the foreclosure rate in Kansas state was one in every 18,224 households, with 1,275,689 homes and a total of 70 housing units entering into foreclosure.
A lot of people still think that the need for disability insurance is not top priority, thinking that disability rarely happens, and when it does, it’s only caused by serious accidents. But did you know that up to 90% of disability cases recorded are due to illness, not injury? Getting disability income insurance should be on top of your to-do list because life is unpredictable and your income shouldn’t be.
Does Kansas have state disability insurance?
Only 5 states in the U.S. require companies to provide their employees with disability insurance coverage that includes benefits for accidents or illnesses sustained outside of the workplace. Unfortunately, Kansas isn’t one of those states.
Kansas, unlike several other states, doesn’t give short-term disability benefits; nevertheless, citizens of Kansas who are unable to work due to medical issues may be eligible for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or workers' compensation (for on-the-job injuries).
If you live in Kansas and become unable to work, you can apply for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. Despite the fact that the application process is the same in each state, the percentage of benefits accepted and the additional payments offered by the State of Kansas differ from those provided by other states.
After your original application or reconsideration review at the Kansas DDS, you have a better-than-national-average chance of receiving Social Security or SSI disability benefits (61% and 16% , respectively).
If you are refused benefits after reconsideration, you must request an appeal hearing if you want to pursue benefits further. In Kansas, you should expect to wait 10 months for a hearing.
What qualifies as disability in Kansas?
f you have disability insurance provided by your employer, make sure to double check the criteria in the agreement that qualifies you to receive disability benefits when you’re unable to work. Some of these criteria can include the following:
- You are unable to perform the Substantial and Material Duties of your Regular Occupation as shown on the Schedule and;
- You are under the Regular Care of a Physician appropriate for your disabling Sickness or Injury and;
- There is no reasonable simplified worksite modification(s) that would allow you to perform one or more of the Substantial and Material Duties of your regular job.
How can I easily get disability insurance in Kansas?
Seeking a private disability insurance policy is the easiest option in Kansas. Here at Asteya, we offer disability insurance (or disability income insurance as we like to call it) that’s simple, fast, and affordable. Our 100% digital process means we don’t tire you out with proof of income, medical exams, phone interviews, or wait times. Click here to get a quote, or contact us for any enquiries.
Who qualifies for disability insurance in Kansas?
Most insurance policies are bought to protect homes, vehicles, and health, but our most valuable asset tends to get neglected: our income. 70% of working Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with little savings to buffer the financial burden of a disability that leaves them unable to work.
At Asteya, we offer a variety of disability income insurance policies. Please visit asteya.world for more details on the eligibility of our product offering.
How much does disability insurance in Kansas cost?
Protecting your income shouldn’t be a luxury, so here at Asteya, we’ve created affordable and easy solutions that won’t drain what you’re trying to protect (your income!). Our prices start as low as:
- Permanent Disability Income Insurance: starting at $6.05/month
- Long-Term Disability Income Insurance: starting at is $5/month
The bottom line
On average, living in the state of Kansas will cost you $1,676 per month, give or take – that’s a lot of expenses! You've invested a lot of time and hard work in building a life that works for you, and your hard work should not go to waste due to an accident or illness. That’s why you should protect your lifestyle and your income with disability insurance.
If you're still on the fence about whether disability income insurance is for you (hint: it is), here are a few extra points to consider while thinking about it:
Asteya’s applications are 100% digital . We don't require blood tests or doctor's appointments, unlike other insurers and we'll just ask you a few minutes of questions to determine your best policy.
Get paid out directly on an approved claim, and spend without restrictions once it's in your bank account.
We've made our Income Insurance as inclusive and accessible as possible. From corner store employee to corner office executive, our products were created to fit every budget and lifestyle.