Living Off The Grid in Kansas is Simple (Complete Guide)
Kansas, with a population of roughly 2.9 million people and an abundance of sunflowers, is the center of the country. Most people consider Kansas a flyover state, although, in terms of living off the grid, Kansas makes headlines!
General Statistics For Living Off Grid in Kansas
It is legal to live off the grid in Kansas, and it is one of the best places for it. The cost of housing and land is approximately 40% lower than the national average, while the cost of living is approximately 17% lower than the national average. Kansas has a higher property tax than the national average, although the low cost of living compensates for this.
In Kansas, many people live fully off the grid and lead self-sufficient lives. Although there are a few larger cities in this state, the vast majority of residents live in smaller towns spread across the state. Wichita, with a population of over 390,000, is the largest city, followed by Overland Park, with a population of 170,000, and Kansas City, with a population of around 150,000.
Kansas is known as a prairie state; due to a large number of prairies duh. Prairie is not a form of the land but rather an environment that is primarily grassland with a few trees strewn about. Despite the fact that the vast bulk of the territory is considered prairie, there are numerous forests sprinkled around the state. If you’re seeking another midwest state, I recommend checking out my Complete Guide to Off Grid Living in Iowa.
What is the Climate in Kansas?
Kansas has three distinct climates as a result of its geographic location. When the three climates overlap, it results in massive storms and destructive weather. The climate in some of the state’s western regions is classified as semi-arid steppe; the main difference between this climate and the other two climates in the state is that it is very dry both in the summer and winter.
The eastern section of the state has a more humid continental climate, which is ideal for growing crops because it is quite humid throughout the year. A humid subtropical climate can be found in the southeastern section of the state, which means that the summers are hot and the winters are mild. This area is also ideal for growing crops.
What are the Best Crops to Grow in Kansas?
You might imagine that because the state is nicknamed “The Sunflower State,” most people will exclusively produce sunflowers. The truth is that this state is ideal for cultivating wheat, corn, soybeans, and grain sorghum, among other crops. Kansas is the country’s biggest producer of wheat and grain sorghum. As you can see, you’ll have a lot of crop-growing possibilities, and you’ll probably be able to plant practically any type of crop you desire. When it comes to cultivating crops, Iowa is very comparable to Kansas; for more details, see my recent article Off-Grid Living in Iowa.
What’s Freshwater Availability Like in Kansas?
Kansas has an abundance of water both above and below ground, and capturing freshwater is permitted; however, you may find that some counties have restrictions on rainwater harvesting. Harvesting rainwater for home use is not a problem, but if you want to use it to water your crops, you may require a permit from the Department of Agriculture. Despite the fact that this permission is intended for large farms rather than homesteads, you should definitely check with the local authorities first.
If you’re interested in a state with a different climate, I recommend checking out my Complete Guide to Off Grid Life in Georgia.
What Kind of Wildlife Does Kansas Have?
Because the state is so huge, it is home to a diverse range of species, including wood rats, beavers, deer, coyotes, skunks, turkeys, and voles. Crappies, catfish, walleye, and bass are among the most frequent fish found in Kansas lakes and rivers. You’ll need a permit for both fishing and hunting, and the hunting and fishing seasons vary by county.
How to Generate Off-Grid Power in Kansas?
Solar power: Because much of Kansas is designated prairie, using solar panels to create electricity will be quite simple. When it comes to solar electricity, the state of Kansas does not give any rebates or tax breaks, but you may still take advantage of the federal tax credit, which is 30%.
Wind energy: The majority of the state is flat and breezy, making it ideal for generating electricity with a wind turbine. The state does offer an Investment Tax Credit, which can range from 12 to 30% and can be used in addition to the federal tax credit of 30%.
You can read my Complete Guide to Off-Grid Power here.
What Kind of Off-Grid Laws Does Kansas Have?
In Kansas, you can live off the grid legally, but you’ll still need a dwelling permit to create an off-grid homestead. If you plan on using rainwater to water your crops, you may need a permit in some counties. Homeschools are categorized as non-accredited private schools, and if you want to homeschool your children, you must notify the local authorities. Overall, Kansas is not that difficult of a state to live off-grid; however, ensure you understand all the local regulations.
What’s Road Access Like in Kansas?
Despite the fact that there are numerous roadways that transverse the state, some locations lack even dirt roads. The roads are of “acceptable” quality, albeit the amount of traffic grows substantially as you move closer to the cities, which is typical of every state in the country. Winters are also rather moderate; thus, most highways should be free of snow.
What’s the Price of Land in Kansas?
Kansas land is cheap since there aren’t a lot of people moving to the state. Generally speaking, lands with existing crops or wells are more expensive than those without. Prices will vary from one county to the next, so you may want to shop around a bit.
What’s the Property Tax in Kansas?
The property tax in Kansas is 1.40 percent, which is higher than the national average of 1.07 percent. The good news is that property in this state is not particularly valuable, so even if the property tax is rather high, you will pay less than in adjacent states. Just bear in mind that property taxes vary by county; the county with the highest property tax is Atchison, with a 1.68 percent property tax.
What’s the Cost of Living Off The Grid in Kansas?
Kansas thrives in this area, with a cost of living that is almost 17% lower than the rest of the country. The most noticeable difference is in housing costs, which are almost 40% lower than the national average. You will also save money on transportation and groceries, but you will spend more on utilities and healthcare expenses. As you can see, the property tax isn’t too exorbitant when you consider that the cost of land and housing is roughly 40% less than the national average.
What’s the Job Market Like in Kansas?
Kansas has a 2.8 percent unemployment rate, which is lower than the national average of 3.9 percent. Agricultural, mining, oil, gas, construction, and manufacturing are the key industries in which the majority of people work. As you can see, both qualified and unskilled people have lots of job prospects.
What’s the Crime Rate in Kansas?
Kansas has a crime rate that is roughly 15% higher than the national average, with 4.39 reported crimes per 1000 persons compared to the national average of 4 crimes per 1000 people. Cities, like any other state, have a greater crime rate than rural towns. Morland, Grainfield, and Moscow are the safest counties in general. The crime rate in the eastern section of the state is substantially greater than in the western part.
Is Living Off The Grid in Kansas Affected by Natural Disasters?
Earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes are three sorts of natural disasters that can strike Kansas. Wildfires, ice storms, and winter storms are all possible, albeit they are very unusual.
Can You Live Off-Grid in Kansas?
Kansas is an excellent place to live off the grid; even if the property tax is greater than the national average, it is offset by low land and house costs. Because of its size, you will have no trouble locating cheap land for off-grid living, and the potential to produce a variety of crops is also a significant plus, in my opinion.
The weather is bearable, and the only off-grid law you’ll have to deal with is around collecting rainwater.
