Median rent is 19% lower in Kansas City ($1,073/mo vs $1,324/mo). Buying is cheaper in Kansas City, where the median home runs $147,100 versus $348,500. Households earn more in Fresno ($66,804 vs $59,183 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 92.0 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fresno, CA.
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
Kansas City, KS
How much would you need to earn in Kansas City, KS to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in Kansas City, KS
$75,092
You'd need $92 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Fresno
California
Kansas City
Kansas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Kansas City at $1,073/mo compared to $1,324/mo in Fresno (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Fresno: the median home is $348,500 versus $147,100 in Kansas City — 58% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 5.70% in Kansas, so Kansas City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 6.50% in Kansas; Kansas City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Fresno
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Kansas City
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.50%
Kansas City has cleaner air on average: 17.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Fresno if you prioritize higher median household income ($66,804/yr).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,073/mo median).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 17.0).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.70%).
Is Fresno cheaper than Kansas City?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 92.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Fresno vs Kansas City?
Median rent is $1,324/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,073/mo in Kansas City, KS. Kansas City, KS has the lower rent by about 19%.
Which has higher salaries — Fresno or Kansas City?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno, CA and $59,183 in Kansas City, KS. Fresno, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Kansas City, KS has better air quality on average: 17.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fresno or Kansas City?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and Kansas's is 5.70%. Kansas City, KS has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Kansas City to match my Fresno income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,123 in Kansas City, KS (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology