Median rent is 11% lower in Kansas City ($1,238/mo vs $1,397/mo). Buying is cheaper in Kansas City, where the median home runs $242,900 versus $243,100. Households earn more in Kansas City ($69,166 vs $61,953 a year). Taken together, Kansas City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 93.2 against 102.4 — about 9% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Kansas City, MO.
Cost of living verdict
Kansas City is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 93.2 in Kansas City vs 102.4 in Philadelphia (US national average = 100)
City A
Kansas City, MO
City B
Philadelphia, PA
How much would you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to maintain your standard of living from Kansas City, MO?
Equivalent salary in Philadelphia, PA
$82,371
You'd need $7,371 more (10% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Kansas City
Missouri
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Kansas City at $1,238/mo compared to $1,397/mo in Philadelphia (11% gap). Median home values are within 0% of each other: $242,900 in Kansas City and $243,100 in Philadelphia.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Kansas City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Philadelphia
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Philadelphia has cleaner air on average: 54.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 57.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 93.2 vs 102.4).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize higher median household income ($69,166/yr).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,238/mo median).
Is Kansas City cheaper than Philadelphia?
Kansas City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 93.2 versus 102.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Kansas City.
How much is rent in Kansas City vs Philadelphia?
Median rent is $1,238/mo in Kansas City, MO and $1,397/mo in Philadelphia, PA. Kansas City, MO has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Kansas City or Philadelphia?
Median household income is $69,166 in Kansas City, MO and $61,953 in Philadelphia, PA. 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?
Philadelphia, PA has better air quality on average: 54.0 AQI versus 57.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Kansas City or Philadelphia?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match my Kansas City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Kansas City, MO is equivalent to roughly $109,828 in Philadelphia, PA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
