Kansas Retirement Guide
Overall
Kansas, population over 2.9 million in 2015, is a midwestern state in the heart of America. Median age is 36. Kansas is the Sunflower State and its capital is Topeka. This page will provide some basic information about what it is like to retire in Kansas. The Kansas Rivers runs through this state. Agriculture is extremely important along with military bases and manufacturers such as Cessna. The Wikipedia entry for Kansas has additional facts. Updated Nov. 2016.
The city and 55+ community reviews on this site can help you make a more informed choice about where to retire in Kansas or other states – there is important information about real estate prices; what makes each community special and not so special; along with important information about the cultural, economic, medical, and transportation infrastructure.
Kansas Climate
The Kansas climate is humid-continental, influenced by the Gulf of Mexico and from the northwest. Summers are hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms and occasional tornados.
Economy and Real Estate Prices
Kansas’s household iincome in 2010-2014 was $51,872, a bit below the U.S. average. The State has the 7th lowest cost of living according to MERIC. Median home prices are much less expensive than in the rest of the U.S. The Zillow Home Value Index in the state was $126,000 in late 2016. In Kansas City the median home went for $188,000 in the 3rd quarter of 2016, in Topeka the median home price in the same period was $127,100 (NAR).
Kansas Taxes
Tax Burden: At 9.5% the total tax burden in Kansas is 23rd highest in US according to the Tax Foundation.
Marginal Income Tax Rates. Kansas has a 4.6% income tax on the top bracket that starts at $30,000 for couples.
Retirement Income Exemptions. Military and Kansas state/local pension incomes are exempt. Out of state pensions are taxable.
Social security exemption. Taxpayers with total adjusted gross income under $75,000 have an exemption for their social security income.
Sales Tax: State sales tax is 6.5%, food is taxable.
Property Taxes: Property is taxed at its fair market value. Per capita property taxes were $1425 in 2012.
Homestead Exemption. Through the Homestead Property Tax Refund Act, homeowners 55 and older who earn $30,800 or less are eligible for a refund of up to $700.
Estate and/or Inheritance Taxes. There are two different estate taxes set to retire in 2017 and 2020 respectively.
Link to the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Certified Retirement Communities
Kansas does not have a certified retirement community program.
Best retirement communities in Kansas
Kansas has several towns that make great retirement communities; there are also planned retirement communities. One of the best places to retire in Kansas is the college town of Lawrence, home of the University of Kansas. Lawrence is the cultural center for the area. Other popular places for retirement communities are Topeka, Wichita, the college town of Olathe, Overland Park, Abilene, Mission Hills, and Emporia.
At Topretirements.com our reason for being is to provide the practical facts and peer-reviewed profiles to help you choose the right retirement community. So if you are considering an Kansas retirement, check out the more than 200 listings on this site. Here is more inside information on retirement living communities in the neighboring states to help you retire in Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois. These links provide insight and data into economic conditions, climate, top communities, and taxes.
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