Median rent is 36% lower in Kansas City ($1,238/mo vs $1,937/mo). Buying is cheaper in Kansas City, where the median home runs $242,900 versus $369,200. Households earn more in Port St. Lucie ($80,648 vs $69,166 a year). Taken together, Kansas City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 93.2 against 95.7 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Port St. Lucie, FL.
Cost of living verdict
Kansas City is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 93.2 in Kansas City vs 95.7 in Port St. Lucie (US national average = 100)
City A
Kansas City, MO
City B
Port St. Lucie, FL
How much would you need to earn in Port St. Lucie, FL to maintain your standard of living from Kansas City, MO?
Equivalent salary in Port St. Lucie, FL
$77,042
You'd need $2,042 more (3% 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
Port St. Lucie
Florida
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Kansas City — median rent of $1,238/mo versus $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, a 36% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Port St. Lucie: the median home is $369,200 versus $242,900 in Kansas City — 34% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
Port St. Lucie
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Port St. Lucie has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 57.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,648/yr).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,238/mo median).
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 47.0).
Is Kansas City cheaper than Port St. Lucie?
Kansas City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 93.2 versus 95.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Kansas City.
How much is rent in Kansas City vs Port St. Lucie?
Median rent is $1,238/mo in Kansas City, MO and $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL. Kansas City, MO has the lower rent by about 36%.
Which has higher salaries — Kansas City or Port St. Lucie?
Median household income is $69,166 in Kansas City, MO and $80,648 in Port St. Lucie, FL. Port St. Lucie, FL 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?
Port St. Lucie, FL has better air quality on average: 47.0 AQI versus 57.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Kansas City or Port St. Lucie?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Port St. Lucie 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 $102,723 in Port St. Lucie, FL (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
