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

Kansas City

Missouri
80
VS

Cincinnati

Ohio
69

Kansas City is 16% more expensive than Cincinnati.

$1,186/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$953/mo ↓ 20%
$67,449/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$51,707/yr ↓ 23%
$227,000 ↑ 5%
Home Value
$215,300 ↓ 5%
$1,205/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,041/mo ↓ 14%
508,233
Population
309,595

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
3.5%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

21.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Kansas City, MO and Cincinnati, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $233/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $2,796/year.

Median household income is $15,742/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Kansas City is $227,000 compared to $215,300 in Cincinnati.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City vs Cincinnati — common questions

Is Kansas City or Cincinnati cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cincinnati is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Kansas City and Cincinnati?
Median rent in Kansas City is $1,186/month and in Cincinnati it's $953/month — a difference of $233/month.
Which city has higher income, Kansas City or Cincinnati?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City and $51,707 in Cincinnati. Median household income is $15,742/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Ohio?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Kansas City or Cincinnati?
It depends on your priorities. Kansas City has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,186/mo, while Cincinnati has a cost index of 69 with rent of $953/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Kansas City details → View Cincinnati details →

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