A+
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Kansas City Missouri National
Cost of living9488100
Goods & Services9292100
Groceries9795100
Health care8490100
Housing9378100
Transportation8991100
Utilities10999100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kansas City, MO

Understanding the cost of living in Kansas City can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Kansas City cost of living index is 94, which is 6% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Kansas City are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Kansas City can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Kansas City?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 33 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Kansas City. The feedback revealed that 55% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 45% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Kansas City Affordable?

Wondering if Kansas City is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Kansas City, for example, the median home price is 11.6% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 3.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Kansas City boasting a median household income of $56,179, which is 1.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kansas City?

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Kansas City, the transportation index is 11.1% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Kansas City cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Kansas City is 6% higher than the Missouri average
  • The cost of living in Kansas City is 6% lower than the national average
  • Kansas City housing is 7% lower than the national average
  • Missouri general sales tax is 17% lower than the national average
  • Missouri state income tax is 34% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Kansas City

See all the best places to live around Kansas City

Compare Kansas City, MO Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$76,850$6,404$1,793$2,306
      Renters$38,383$3,199$896$1,152
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Kansas City is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Kansas City has a median income of about $76,850 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,793 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $38,383. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $896 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Missouri Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Missouri 4.225% 10.85%

      Missouri Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Missouri 1.5% 5.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Kansas City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.30$24.2616.3%
      Beauty Salon $33.43$45.5626.6%
      Toothpaste $3.70$3.700.2%
      Shampoo $1.42$1.2810.9%
      Movie $12.03$12.130.9%
      Bowling $15.57$18.0013.5%

      Groceries

      Item Kansas City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.31$5.848.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.0%
      Milk $4.62$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.24$4.936.2%
      Pizza $11.48$12.095.0%
      Beer $9.39$10.419.8%

      Health Care

      Item Kansas City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $96.50$125.6823.2%
      Doctor $90.20$135.7833.6%
      Dentist $100.33$113.2911.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.67$10.650.2%
      Lipitor $474.53$468.601.3%

      Housing

      Item Kansas City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $163,300.00$184,700.0011.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,152.92$2,346.698.3%
      Apartment Rent $979.00$949.003.2%

      Transportation

      Item Kansas City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.17$3.468.3%
      Tire Balancing $49.17$59.9217.9%

      Utilities

      Item Kansas City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $217.10$193.9911.9%
      Phone $199.94$192.254.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      River Bend, MO9945.8%
      Ferrelview, MO5988019.6%
      Mosby, MO1098119.3%
      Randolph, MO288218.3%
      Missouri City, MO5068217.9%
      Kansas City, MO491,158946.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Atlanta, GA497,64211615.8%
      Omaha, NE479,529964.3%
      Sacramento, CA503,48213231.8%
      Mesa, AZ508,91811615.8%
      Colorado Springs, CO471,68611919.3%
      Kansas City, MO491,158946.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.