Median rent is 1% lower in Temple ($1,174/mo vs $1,186/mo). Buying is cheaper in Temple, where the median home runs $220,300 versus $227,000. Households earn more in Kansas City ($67,449 vs $64,945 a year). Taken together, Temple is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.0 against 92.0 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Kansas City, MO.
City A
Kansas City, MO
City B
Temple, TX
How much would you need to earn in Temple, TX to maintain your standard of living from Kansas City, MO?
Equivalent salary in Temple, 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
Missouri
Temple
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,186/mo in Kansas City and $1,174/mo in Temple. Median home values are within 3% of each other: $227,000 in Kansas City and $220,300 in Temple.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Missouri tops out at 4.80% — giving Temple a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.22% in Missouri and 6.25% in Texas; Kansas City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Kansas City
Income tax: 4.80%
Sales tax: 4.22%
Temple
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Kansas City (avg AQI 17.0) but not yet for Temple.
Pick Temple if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Kansas City cheaper than Temple?
Temple 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 Temple.
How much is rent in Kansas City vs Temple?
Median rent is $1,186/mo in Kansas City, MO and $1,174/mo in Temple, TX. Temple, TX has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Kansas City or Temple?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City, MO and $64,945 in Temple, TX. 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Kansas City or Temple?
Texas has no state income tax. Missouri has a top rate of 4.80%.
What salary do I need in Temple 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 $99,995 in Temple, 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