25+ Pros And Cons Of Living In Kansas (Explained)

Kansas was one of those cities that was added to the United States as a part of the Louisiana Purchase. In spite of being a part of the United States since 1803, it was not until 1854 that people could settle in here.

Kansas in the early days served as the swing state for slavery and eventually contributed to the civil war that waged across the USA.

Once the conflict was over, Kansas, due to its railroads, became an ideal destination for Texan Cattle drive. This state still heavily relies on agriculture, but manufacturing centers are slowly adding to the diversity. 

Benefits of Living in KansasDrawbacks of Living in Kansas
Low Cost of LivingThe Weather
Low Housing PricesTornadoes
BarbecueTravelling Problems
Country Club CultureHigh Income Tax
Fun ActivitiesNo Public Transport
Minimal Commuting TimeExcise Tax

Advantages of living in Kansas:

Low Cost of Living.

Once we venture outside the cities of Kansas, the cost of living goes down remarkably. The cost of living is estimated to be around 21% lower than the national average of USA. With a healthy median salary, the quality of life of the citizens of this state is rather good.

Most of the manufacturing of consumer products and food for domestic and industrial purposes. Therefore the shipping costs and other transportation costs are cut out.

Low Housing Prices.

Housing prices in the state can be very low in certain areas. Coffeyville can serve as an ideal example. Located at the junction of highways 166 and 169, this town doesn’t have too much of demand of housing facilities.

Therefore, the average house in this area costs somewhere around $53000. There are also local refineries and fertilizer 0lants where one can get a job. 

Barbecue.

Kansas City is famed for its barbecue. People even go to such extents as to describe the state as having the planet’s best barbecue joints. It is said that none of the joints across Kansas can be singled out for making poor barbecue.

The taste of barbecue is preserved and well-maintained across the state.  Personalities like Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Harry Truman have all come to experience the barbecue Kansas is so proud of. 

Country Club Culture. 

Country Club Culture is a way of life in Kansas. It’s a unique arrangement that was put in place by the people who wanted a gulp of their favorite beer or a dash of their favorite whisky.

The traditional way of gaining entry into these is to get a membership at one of these clubs. These clubs can be several years old and have a tonne of history attached to them. 

Fun Activities.

The low housing prices and the rustic look of Kansas often fool the eye. Kansas may appear rustic to many, but there are a lot of fun activities that one can indulge in.

Wichita has 30 museums, a world-class zoo, and botanical gardens to explore. All of these are at a mere distance of an hour. Wichita also has Tanganyika Wildlife parks where one can interact with animals, pat the kangaroos and feed the giraffe. 

Minimal Commuting Time.

Commuting across Kansas does not usually take much time. There is a little obstruction in way of traffic jams. Distance is the only hindrance.

One can shift from one town to another in Kansas in about 30-60 minutes. Even for the ones living in suburbs, the downtown metro area is at a distance of about 25 minutes. The public transport facilities, however, could use an upgrade. 

Disadvantages of living in Kansas:

The Weather.

Weathers across Kansas can vary widely depending on where you live. The southern part has weather that is humid and subtropical, the central and east have humid subtropical weather, and the west experiences semi-arid conditions. Wichita often gets so hot and humid that it threatens life as it is. 

Tornadoes.

Kansas city is placed in the tornado corridor and therefore is extremely prone to them. It is recorded that Kansas had 60 twisters every year since 1996. Dome of them wreaked havoc and took a toll on both properties and human lives.

Even in 2019 in a space of twelve days at least 8 tornadoes were reported across the central plains. Staying updated with weather news is a must if you move to Kansas. 

Traveling Problems.

Although devoid of traffic, this place has a problem when traveling elsewhere. Kansas boasts the third-largest network of highways. The network however is an absolute necessity.

Kansas has a class C airport in Wichita and the next best option is Manhattan Regional Airport. Missouri, Tulsa or Denver are popular travel options if you’re looking for a flight. 

High Income Tax.

There are two tax brackets in Kansas and together they may seem a bit steep. The first $15000 of taxable income is taxed at 2.7% while the rest of the income is taxed at 4.6%. For married couples, the interests remain the same but the brackets are doubled. 

No Public Transport.

Living outside Kansas Metro City would require additional investment in the form of private vehicles. There may even be an excise tax imposed on vehicles bought from private owners instead of dealerships before moving to the states.

The problem arises due to the non-existent nature of public transport in Kansas. Wichita however offers a handful of bus routes that are far from being enough. 

Excise Tax.

One may need to pay an excise tax of 6.3% to 7.35% on their vehicle if it was previously untaxed. A period of 90 days is given to register one’s vehicle at the county clerk’s office. An emission test and payment of fees follow the process. 

If you’re planning to move to Kansas, it is very important that you take into account all the pros and cons the state has in store for you. If you already own a private vehicle, the shift shall be much smoother. All you have to look for a sturdy house (which do come cheap) and a nearby barbecue joint to feast on. 

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