Located in the exact middle of the country, Kansas is an agricultural state where you can escape the rat race. Kansas real estate is inexpensive and plentiful.

Kansas

Kansas is about as Midwestern as it gets when you think of stereotypes. Agriculture dominates the state with wheat fields flowing throughout the state. While you will not find oceans or rivers, the state provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing and a variety of outdoor activities. Football and basketball are popular throughout the state. If youre living in a high stress high cost state, Kansas represents an opportunity to step back from the chaos. Youll find a much more relaxed pace of life and affordable cost of living in the state.

Kansas City

Often mistaken as a boring place, Kansas City is actually a booming city. Development and expansion seems non-stop and has resulted in a bit of city sprawl. Still, the city is surprisingly cosmopolitan. Renovations to the downtown area, particularly the River Walk on the Missouri River, make the city a vibrant hub of activities and nightlife. Stroll over to the Westport area and youll be in the hub of luxury shops and high-class restaurants. Kansas City is a barbeque town and the city knows how to produce the finest barbeque food in the world. Make sure you try it. For racing enthusiast, Kansas City has recently built a major speedway.

Much of Kansas City is actually in Missouri, but we are including it here because of the name. Confusing, eh?

Lawrence

Sitting on the Kansas River, Lawrence is a great little college town. Home to the University of Kansas, the town is a liberal little town in a state known for being conservative. Youll find brick buildings and odd little shops in the town. Basketball rules in this town with the fans living and dying with each game played by the college team, the Kansas Jayhawks.

Wichita

Wichita is the biggest city in Kansas since Kansas City is often considered to be a city in Missouri. Formerly a fairly downtrodden place, Wichita has seen a revival with development in the downtown area and along the Arkansas River, which divides the city. There isnt anything particularly attractive or unattractive about the city. It is just a solid place to raise a family and very inexpensive.

Kansas Real Estate

Kansas real estate is very inexpensive and in abundant supply. A single-family home in Wichita will set you back in the $150,000 range, while youll need an additional $80,000 in Lawrence. The same home in Kansas City will run roughly $190,000.

As was typical throughout the Midwest, Kansas real estate did not appreciate at any great rate in 2005. Ranked in the bottom ten among all states, Kansas real estate appreciated at a humble rate of 5.5 percent.