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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.7K/month more in St. Paul, MN

$150.0K in your current city equals $169.9K in St. Paul, MN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Wichita, KS area
Overall Cost
22.1%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,657
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$19.9K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Wichita, KS

Population:396K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$202K

St. Paul, MN

Population:304K
Cost Index:
122
(22% above avg)
Median Home:$274K

Wichita, KS

The Sunflower State

396K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 396K residents.

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 304K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Wichita, KS vs St. Paul, MN

Housing
46.5%
Wichita, KS
$1,845
St. Paul, MN
$2,703
Difference
$858
more
Transportation
14.8%
Wichita, KS
$1,202
St. Paul, MN
$1,380
Difference
$178
more
Healthcare
29.8%
Wichita, KS
$582
St. Paul, MN
$756
Difference
$173
more
Groceries
15.7%
Wichita, KS
$889
St. Paul, MN
$1,029
Difference
$140
more
Other
5.1%
Wichita, KS
$1,641
St. Paul, MN
$1,724
Difference
$83.70
more
All Utilities
5.1%
Wichita, KS
$535
St. Paul, MN
$508
Difference
$27.32
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$790
To$1,220
$430
1 Bed
From$855
To$1,380
$525
2 Bed
From$1,110
To$1,680
$570
3 Bed
From$1,455
To$2,225
$770
Wichita, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $680$1,280/mo

St. Paul, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250$1,680/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,695
Monthly in Wichita, KS
$8,100
Monthly in St. Paul, MN
$1,405
Difference

Home Values

Wichita
St. Paul
$202K
Median Value
-
↑ +0.2%
YoY Change
-
↑ +40.5%
5-Year Change
-
$86K - $424K
Price Range
-

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
$2.0K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$168
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.3%
Rate difference

Wichita, KS

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kansas State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,714/month
$104.6K

St. Paul, MN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Minnesota State Tax
Effective: 7.0%
$10.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.6%
$47.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,546/month
$102.6K

Additional Tax Information

Wichita, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%
Property Tax:1.1%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Wichita
St. Paul
43 Good
Air Quality
36 Good
75.1%
Good Air Days
72.4%
97 High
Climate Risk
95 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
+3.7°F
61 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days
+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
+3.7°F
61 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kansas and Minnesota on TaxTakeHome.com

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