Kansas is a state in the Midwestern United States.  In the 1800's, Kansas was part of the Wild West. Pioneers, railroads and cattle driven by cowboys crossed Kansas from 1850-1900. Abbreviation: KS Capital: Topeka (the name means "place where we dig potatoes") Temperature: 88 degrees, partly cloudy Time: 1:00 pm (1 hour behind us) Nickname: "The Sunflower State" or "The Wheat State" Population: 2.935 million (PA 12.8) Size: 82,278 sq mi (PA 46,000) Cost of living: 32,049 (PA $49,040) The cost of living in Kansas is  12% lower than the national average . Housing is 29% lower than the national average, while utilities are 3% lower. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 6% lower than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 6% lower. Minimum wage: $7.25 Statehood: January 29, 1861 State Flag:  Rolling hills identify the terrain near Fort Riley. American Indians hunting bison are reminders of the people ...

Iowa, a Midwestern U.S. state, sits between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. It’s known for its landscape of rolling plains and cornfields. Abbreviation: IA Capital: Des Moines Temperature: Time: 1:00 pm (1 hour behind us) Nickname: :The Hawkeye State" the University of Iowa borrowed its athletic nickname from the state many years ago. It is not clear how Iowans became Hawkeyes, but the nickname was first recorded in 1859. Population: 3.193 million (PA 12.8) Size: 56,273 sq mi (PA 46,000) Cost of living: $33,664 (PA $49,040) The cost of living in Iowa is  9% lower than the national average . Housing is 28% lower than the national average, while utilities are 6% lower. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 4% lower than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 4% lower. Minimum wage: $7.25 Statehood: December 28, 1846 State Flag:  The flag of the state of Iowa is a vertical  tricolor flag  designed by Dixie Corn...