Cost of Living: Kansas City, MO vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

Kansas City

Missouri
80
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

Kansas City is 14% more expensive than Des Moines.

$1,186/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↓ 11%
$67,449/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↓ 5%
$227,000 ↑ 24%
Home Value
$183,700 ↓ 19%
$1,205/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↓ 6%
508,233
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.7%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

21.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Kansas City, MO and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $132/month cheaper in Des Moines, saving renters about $1,584/year.

Median household income is $3,483/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Kansas City is $227,000 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making Kansas City slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City vs Des Moines — common questions

Is Kansas City or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Des Moines is cheaper to live in with an index of 70 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Kansas City and Des Moines?
Median rent in Kansas City is $1,186/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $132/month.
Which city has higher income, Kansas City or Des Moines?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $3,483/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Iowa?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Kansas City or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Kansas City has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,186/mo, while Des Moines has a cost index of 70 with rent of $1,054/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Kansas City details → View Des Moines details →

More Comparisons

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