Cost of Living: Cincinnati, OH vs Kansas City, KS (2026)

Cincinnati

Ohio
69
VS

Kansas City

Kansas City
65

Cincinnati is 6% more expensive than Kansas City.

$953/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,073/mo ↑ 13%
$51,707/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$59,183/yr ↑ 14%
$215,300 ↑ 46%
Home Value
$147,100 ↓ 32%
$1,041/mo ↓ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,054/mo ↑ 1%
309,595
Population
154,776

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.7%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cincinnati, OH and Kansas City, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $120/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $1,440/year.

Median household income is $7,476/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cincinnati is $215,300 compared to $147,100 in Kansas City.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cincinnati slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati vs Kansas City — common questions

Is Cincinnati or Kansas City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Kansas City is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 69 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cincinnati and Kansas City?
Median rent in Cincinnati is $953/month and in Kansas City it's $1,073/month — a difference of $120/month.
Which city has higher income, Cincinnati or Kansas City?
Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati and $59,183 in Kansas City. Median household income is $7,476/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Kansas?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Cincinnati or Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. Cincinnati has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $953/mo, while Kansas City has a cost index of 65 with rent of $1,073/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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