Median rent is 6% lower in Kansas City ($1,073/mo vs $1,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Kansas City, where the median home runs $147,100 versus $196,000. Households earn more in Kansas City ($59,183 vs $58,339 a year). Taken together, Killeen is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.0 against 92.0 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Kansas City, KS
City B
Killeen, TX
How much would you need to earn in Killeen, TX to maintain your standard of living from Kansas City, KS?
Equivalent salary in Killeen, TX
$74,996
You could earn $4 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Killeen
Texas
👥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 $1,147/mo in Killeen (6% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Killeen: the median home is $196,000 versus $147,100 in Kansas City — 25% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Kansas tops out at 5.70% — giving Killeen a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.50% in Kansas and 6.25% in Texas; Killeen has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Kansas City
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.50%
Killeen
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Kansas City (avg AQI 17.0) but not yet for Killeen.
Pick Killeen if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Kansas City cheaper than Killeen?
Killeen 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 Killeen.
How much is rent in Kansas City vs Killeen?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in Kansas City, KS and $1,147/mo in Killeen, TX. Kansas City, KS has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Kansas City or Killeen?
Median household income is $59,183 in Kansas City, KS and $58,339 in Killeen, TX. Kansas City, KS 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Kansas City or Killeen?
Texas has no state income tax. Kansas has a top rate of 5.70%.
What salary do I need in Killeen 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 $99,995 in Killeen, TX (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