| Index | Kansas City | Kansas | National |
| Cost of living | 86 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 66 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 88 | 93 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Kansas City? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Kansas City stands at 86, making it 14% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 14 residents in Kansas City to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 36% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 64% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Kansas City affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Kansas City, the median home price is 45.3% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 7.8% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Kansas City boasting a median household income of $67,939, 16.5% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Kansas City, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and the income tax rates commence at 3.1%.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Kansas City, the transportation index is 3.2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Kansas City shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $88,298 | $7,358 | $2,060 | $2,649 |
| Renters | $47,308 | $3,942 | $1,104 | $1,419 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Kansas | 6.5% | 11.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Kansas | 3.1% | 4.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| River Bend, MO | 9 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Ferrelview, MO | 622 | 82 | 18.1% |
| Randolph, MO | 29 | 84 | 15.8% |
| Sugar Creek, MO | 3,384 | 85 | 14.7% |
| Claycomo, MO | 1,827 | 88 | 12.2% |
| Kansas City, KS | 156,337 | 86 | 13.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pomona, CA | 156,853 | 145 | 45.3% |
| Springfield, MA | 156,858 | 110 | 10.1% |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 157,266 | 269 | 168.9% |
| Hollywood, FL | 157,605 | 118 | 18.4% |
| Pasadena, TX | 157,942 | 94 | 6.1% |
| Kansas City, KS | 156,337 | 86 | 13.7% |
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