Median rent is 18% lower in St. Louis ($978/mo vs $1,186/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $185,100 versus $227,000. Households earn more in Kansas City ($67,449 vs $55,279 a year). Taken together, Kansas City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.0 against 96.6 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Kansas City, MO.
Quick verdict
Kansas City is 5% cheaper overall
Cost index: 92.0 in Kansas City vs 96.6 in St. Louis (US average = 100)
City A
Kansas City, MO
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Kansas City, MO?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$78,733
You'd need $3,733 more (5% higher).
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
Missouri
St. Louis
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 St. Louis at $978/mo compared to $1,186/mo in Kansas City (18% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $227,000 in Kansas City and $185,100 in St. Louis.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Missouri's top income tax rate is 4.80% versus 4.80% in Missouri, so St. Louis is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.22% in Missouri and 4.22% in Missouri; St. Louis has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Kansas City
Income tax: 4.80%
Sales tax: 4.22%
St. Louis
Income tax: 4.80%
Sales tax: 4.22%
Kansas City has cleaner air on average: 17.0 AQI (Good) compared to 26.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.0 vs 96.6).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize higher median household income ($67,449/yr).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($978/mo median).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 17.0).
Is Kansas City cheaper than St. Louis?
Kansas City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.0 versus 96.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Kansas City.
How much is rent in Kansas City vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,186/mo in Kansas City, MO and $978/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Kansas City or St. Louis?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City, MO and $55,279 in St. Louis, 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 26.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Kansas City or St. Louis?
Missouri's top income tax rate is 4.80% and Missouri's is 4.80%. St. Louis, MO has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in St. Louis 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 $104,977 in St. Louis, 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