The median household income in Kansas is $64,500. On the national average student loan balance of $37,650, a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.54% costs $428/month — representing 8.0% of gross median income. Financial planners typically recommend keeping student loan payments below 10% of gross income.
Kansas's cost of living is 12% below the national average. Lower living costs mean more room in your monthly budget to make extra payments and reduce total interest paid over the life of the loan.
Kansas has a state income tax of 3.1%–5.7%. Federal student loan interest is deductible up to $2,500/year if your MAGI is below $85,000, reducing your effective borrowing cost. Check whether Kansas mirrors the federal deduction for state return purposes.