The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered. We are providing additional data around those topics that can be helpful to gauge your particular situation. The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make living cost comparisons easily and quickly.

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered. We are providing additional data around those topics that can be helpful to gauge your particular situation. The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make living cost comparisons easily and quickly.

Cost of Living in Kansas City, MO

Cost of Living in Kansas City, MO is

-2.1% Lower

than the National Average

Did the Cost of Living in Kansas City, MO increase in 2024? Kansas City, MO area prices were up 1.7% from a year ago. The largest increases were found in Transportation, Food, and Housing.

By using Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator, you can make a cost of living comparison of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!

About Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had an estimated population of 488,943 in....More

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Missouri's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $12.3 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Kansas City, MO

Cost of Living Calculator

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Cost of Living in other Major Cities

City, State	Compared to national average
City, State San Francisco, CA	Compared to national average + 86.5%
City, State Washington, DC	Compared to national average + 45.2%
City, State Miami, FL	Compared to national average + 15.4%
City, State Chicago, IL	Compared to national average + 12.4%
City, State Boston, MA	Compared to national average + 53.1%
City, State New York, NY	Compared to national average + 77.0%
City, State Dallas, TX	Compared to national average + 7.0%

Cost of Living Kansas City, MO by Expense Category

Category	Compared to national average
CategoryEnergy	Compared to national average + 3.1%
CategoryFood	Compared to national average + 3.0%
CategoryHealthcare	Compared to national average -1.2%
CategoryHousing	Compared to national average -13.4%
CategoryTransportation	Compared to national average -6.5%

Cost of Living Comparison with Kansas City, MO

If you move to Kansas City from one of these cities, you would have these the changes of your cost of living.

Move From	Move To	Cost Of Living Comparison
Move FromSan Francisco, CA	Move ToKansas City, MO	Cost Of Living Comparision -88.6%
Move FromWashington, DC	Move ToKansas City, MO	Cost Of Living Comparision -47.3%
Move FromMiami, FL	Move ToKansas City, MO	Cost Of Living Comparision -17.5%
Move FromChicago, IL	Move ToKansas City, MO	Cost Of Living Comparision -14.5%
Move FromBoston, MA	Move ToKansas City, MO	Cost Of Living Comparision -55.2%
Move FromNew York, NY	Move ToKansas City, MO	Cost Of Living Comparision -79.1%
Move FromDallas, TX	Move ToKansas City, MO	Cost Of Living Comparision -9.2%

Based on this cost of living comparison, you can see:

If you move from Chicago IL, Dallas, TX, or Miami, FL, the percent increase of your cost of living could be 22.8%, 37.8%, and 24.8%. Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income, so please think carefully!

If you move from New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC, the percent reduction of your cost of living could be -43.50%, -23%, and -20.10%, that's good news to you that you could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income.

About Kansas City, MO

Kansas City is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had an estimated population of 488,943 in 2017, making it the 37th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central city of the Kansas City metropolitan area, which straddles the Kansas–Missouri state line. Kansas City was founded in the 1830s as a Missouri River port at its confluence with the Kansas River coming in from the west. On June 1, 1850 the town of Kansas was incorporated; shortly after came the establishment of the Kansas Territory. Confusion between the two ensued...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

Comments about the Cost of Living in Kansas City, MO

What are the cheapest grocery stores?

Some stores like Kroger offer frequent discounts or loyalty programs that can save you even more at the checkout. Since groceries are an essential part of you cost of living, take advantage of discounts whenever you can. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

I love to go to sports events, what does Kansas City, Missouri have to offer?

If you love sports, you will love Kansas City, MO! Since there are football, baseball teams, you can go to a lot of games. Keep in mind that the tickets tend to be expensive, so you need to manage your entertainment budget carefully. Sometimes you can get discount tickets on line. Some people purchase a season ticket with a group of friends and take turns going to the games. Sports tickets can increase your cost of living in Kansas City, MO, but if you are a true sports fan it is worth it. In Kansas City, MO, the games are usually shown on local TV and you can host a party of friends and watch the game together. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

How much is the average price of internet in Kansas City, MO?

The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

I am moving with children, what should I do to make the move less stressful for them and myself?

Make sure your child has a favorite toy, doll, game, clothing, blanket, snacks, etc. to take with them during the transition. Once you arrive, let your child help with arranging and decorating their new room. You may be tempted to unpack everything when you arrive, but make sure you take a break from unpacking to spend time playing and relaxing with your child. Plan on packing a special bag to take with you with those items that you will need first. Towels, soap, a few basic kitchen utensils and food items like crackers, tea, juice, will make your new location functional as soon as you arrive and fell more like home. A small new toy, book, or video that you give to your child when you arrive might help them to feel happy and relaxed in the new location. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

I have a child, how much will child care cost per month in Kansas City, Missouri ?

It is difficult to exactly predict the cost of child care in any city, which for parents, is a large part of the cost of living. There are different arrangements and lengths of time that are needed to care for a child, and costs may vary a lot depending on the services provided. Based on the state average, for Kansas City child care for a child up to 3 years could cost $8632 per year. Missouri, is ranked NO. 34 in annual cost of child care in the U.S. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

How do rental housing prices in Kansas City,Missouri impact the overall cost of living?

I am single and live in Kansas City,MO, I rent a small studio and the monthly rent is $905 . Rent contributes to a large part of the overall cost of living in Kansas City,MO, I try to economize by having a small apartment. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

Are there fun things to in Kansas City, Missouri that are free or don’t cost a lot?

Looks for areas of Kansas City, Missouri where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Kansas City, MO to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

I know there are many types of taxes that contribute to the cost of living in Kansas City, Missouri, will the overall tax expense be high or low?

Good question. Based on Individual income taxes (which you will pay on earnings), Sales taxes (pay for your purchases), property taxes (on your home or indirectly on your rent), unemployment insurance taxes (from your income), and general business taxes (impacting employers ability to offer jobs and good pay), in Kansas City, the overall tax climate compared to the rest of the country is generally low. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

How difficult is it to drive in Kansas City, Missouri?

Overall, the time and ease of your driving times will impact your cost of living, since driving in heavy and slow moving traffic uses a lot of gas. Kansas City, Missouri has an ease of driving ranking of 41 and is considered pretty good overall for commuters. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

What is the average commute time in Kansas City, Missouri?

In Kansas City, MO, the average commute time is about 24.54 minutes. This can vary depending on the time of day, day of week, and the weather and road conditions. If the weather is bad, commute time can double! You should factor this commuting time into your overall cost of living, since your time has value. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

What is the cost of public transit in Kansas City, Missouri?

Public transit in Kansas City, MO will cost you around $50.00 per month. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

Last Update: 2024-03-27