Median rent is 10% lower in Kansas City ($1,073/mo vs $1,186/mo). Buying is cheaper in Kansas City, where the median home runs $147,100 versus $227,000. Households earn more in Kansas City ($67,449 vs $59,183 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (92.0).
City A
Kansas City, KS
City B
Kansas City, MO
How much would you need to earn in Kansas City, MO to maintain your standard of living from Kansas City, KS?
Equivalent salary in Kansas City, MO
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Kansas City
Kansas
Kansas City
Missouri
👥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 $1,186/mo in Kansas City (10% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Kansas City: the median home is $227,000 versus $147,100 in Kansas City — 35% more expensive.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Kansas's top income tax rate is 5.70% versus 4.80% in Missouri, so Kansas City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.50% in Kansas and 4.22% in Missouri; Kansas City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Kansas City
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.50%
Kansas City
Income tax: 4.80%
Sales tax: 4.22%
Both cities have similar air quality: Kansas City averages 17.0 AQI (Good) and Kansas City averages 17.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize higher median household income ($67,449/yr).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.80%).
Is Kansas City cheaper than Kansas City?
Kansas City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.0 versus 92.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Kansas City.
How much is rent in Kansas City vs Kansas City?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in Kansas City, KS and $1,186/mo in Kansas City, MO. Kansas City, KS has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Kansas City or Kansas City?
Median household income is $59,183 in Kansas City, KS and $67,449 in Kansas City, MO. Kansas City, MO 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, MO has better air quality on average: 17.0 AQI versus 17.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Kansas City or Kansas City?
Kansas's top income tax rate is 5.70% and Missouri's is 4.80%. Kansas City, MO has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Kansas City to match my Kansas City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Kansas City, KS is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Kansas City, MO (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