Median rent is 4% lower in Kansas City ($1,073/mo vs $1,123/mo). Buying is cheaper in Kansas City, where the median home runs $147,100 versus $157,100. Households earn more in Kansas City ($59,183 vs $51,211 a year). Taken together, Memphis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.8 against 92.0 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Kansas City, KS.
City A
Kansas City, KS
City B
Memphis, TN
How much would you need to earn in Memphis, TN to maintain your standard of living from Kansas City, KS?
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$74,867
You could earn $133 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
Memphis
Tennessee
👥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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,073/mo in Kansas City and $1,123/mo in Memphis. Median home values are within 6% of each other: $147,100 in Kansas City and $157,100 in Memphis.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Tennessee has no state income tax, while Kansas tops out at 5.70% — giving Memphis a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.50% in Kansas and 7.00% in Tennessee; Kansas City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Kansas City
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.50%
Memphis
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
Kansas City has cleaner air on average: 17.0 AQI (Good) compared to 23.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize higher median household income ($59,183/yr).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 17.0).
Pick Memphis if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Kansas City cheaper than Memphis?
Memphis is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.8 versus 92.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Memphis.
How much is rent in Kansas City vs Memphis?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in Kansas City, KS and $1,123/mo in Memphis, TN. Kansas City, KS has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Kansas City or Memphis?
Median household income is $59,183 in Kansas City, KS and $51,211 in Memphis, TN. 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?
Kansas City, KS has better air quality on average: 17.0 AQI versus 23.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Kansas City or Memphis?
Tennessee has no state income tax. Kansas has a top rate of 5.70%.
What salary do I need in Memphis 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 $99,823 in Memphis, TN (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