Cost of Living: Kansas City, MO vs Lincoln, NE (2026)

Kansas City

Missouri
80
VS

Lincoln

Nebraska
77

Kansas City is 4% more expensive than Lincoln.

$1,186/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$1,045/mo ↓ 12%
$67,449/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$69,991/yr ↑ 4%
$227,000 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$248,200 ↑ 9%
$1,205/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,140/mo ↓ 5%
508,233
Population
291,932

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
6.64%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
5.5%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.73%

Affordability

21.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Kansas City, MO and Lincoln, NE, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $141/month cheaper in Lincoln, saving renters about $1,692/year.

Median household income is $2,542/year higher in Lincoln. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Kansas City is $227,000 compared to $248,200 in Lincoln.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City vs Lincoln — common questions

Is Kansas City or Lincoln cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lincoln is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Kansas City and Lincoln?
Median rent in Kansas City is $1,186/month and in Lincoln it's $1,045/month — a difference of $141/month.
Which city has higher income, Kansas City or Lincoln?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City and $69,991 in Lincoln. Median household income is $2,542/year higher in Lincoln.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Nebraska?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax.
Should I move to Kansas City or Lincoln?
It depends on your priorities. Kansas City has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,186/mo, while Lincoln has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,045/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Kansas City details → View Lincoln details →

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